THE Gemini Cooperation, a premier shipping alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, announced that it will begin a gradual return to the Red Sea and Suez Canal starting in mid-February.
The move marks the first time the alliance will utilize the corridor since its formation. It also signals a significant shift for Hapag-Lloyd, which has avoided the route since early 2024 due to regional instability.
The decision to return to the world’s most critical trade lane follows a six-month period without confirmed Houthi attacks. Despite the relative calm, both carriers emphasized that the resumption is being handled with extreme caution.
The tides are turning for global shipping. With Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd resuming Suez Canal transits, we’re seeing a phased approach to restoring efficiency in the global supply chain. PHOTO FROM MAERSK
“All transits will be secured by naval assistance,” Maersk stated, noting that a robust security framework is now in place. The companies warned that they are monitoring Middle Eastern stability in real-time and will revert to longer routes around Africa if the conflict escalates.
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The service restoration will debut on the alliance’s trade route linking India to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. To spearhead the return, Gemini is deploying two of its most advanced, dual-fuel vessels: Westbound: Albert Maersk (16,592 TEU, built 2025) and Eastbound: Astrid Maersk (16,592 TEU, built 2024).
By utilizing these new assets, the carriers aim to combine modernized, low-emission operations with the efficiency of the Suez shortcut.
The Suez Canal Authority has praised the announcement, viewing it as a pivotal step toward normalizing global trade volumes. The Gemini Cooperation joins other major players, such as CMA CGM, in returning to the canal, which has seen significantly reduced traffic over the past two years.
For global supply chains, the shift promises to reduce transit times and fuel costs, provided the security situation remains stable.