Danish shipping giant Maersk and German carrier Hapag-Lloyd are immediately rerouting a Gemini Cooperation service through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, replacing the current route around the Cape of Good Hope.
Maersk identifies the service as AE19, while Hapag-Lloyd refers to it as SE4 service.
The AE19 service will now sail via the trans-Suez route instead of transiting via the Cape of Good Hope. This change will take effect immediately, starting with Berlin Maersk’s westbound route voyage 628W, and eastbound voyage 637E.
The carriers agreed on the structural change after assessing the security situation in the Red Sea region. It also marks a step towards a gradual return to the trans-Suez corridor for the Gemini Cooperation.
The carriers currently have no plans for further Gemini service changes and there is no indication that Maersk is phasing-in any other full services via the Suez corridor.
“At this point we have no specific timeline,” Maersk said Monday. “Whilst this change is a significant step forward, we are not at a point where we are considering a wider East-West network change back to the trans-Suez corridor – and therefore also not considering a full East-West network change.”
The AE19 connects Asia, the Mediterranean, Saudi Arabia and Europe. Berlin Maersk voyage 628W will follow this rotation: Xingang – Qingdao – Busan – Ningbo – Shanghai – Tanjung Pelepas – Jeddah – Suez Canal – Port Said – Port Tangier – Port Said – Suez Canal – Jeddah – Singapore – Xingang.
Maersk and Hapag Lloyd are continually assess their network, analysing how they can optimise it.
The carriers said the Red Sea route provides a more direct and faster transport option between Asia and Europe.
“By making this structural change to the AE19 service, where it will transition it to the trans-Suez corridor instead of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, we will offer more efficient transit times for customers,” Maersk said Monday.
However, Hapag-Lloyd stressed that safety remains its highest priority. The carrier will continue to monitor the situation in the region. Further changes could follow if the security situation develops.
