Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd pick London Gateway for Gemini ‣ WorldCargo News

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have chosen London Gateway as the UK hub for the Gemini Cooperation, dropping Felixstowe from the shared network.

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are fine-tuning the final details of the highly anticipated Gemini Cooperation and the Network of the Future, set to launch on 1 February 2025. The duo has decided to integrate the Cape of Good Hope network into the new operational framework amid lingering safety concerns in the Red Sea.

As part of the network optimisation process for the Asia-Europe services, the two shipping giants have reviewed their current port and terminal configurations. The evaluation concluded that London Gateway will become the primary hub for UK cargo imports and exports under the Gemini network. This decision reflects the partners’ strategy to reduce complexity, favouring single-operator loops and fewer port calls per service. Consequently, Felixstowe will no longer be included in Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s shared network.

“The change from our existing network to the Network of the Future will take place from February 2025 as part of the phasing out of the current 2M cooperation and phasing in the new network of the Gemini cooperation. As our solutions and products are scoped to the customer demand, we expect to be able to share further details of this plan over the next couple of weeks,” Maersk said in an advisory on Monday.

“This change will affect the Asia – Europe trades under the scope of the Gemini cooperation. The previously announced Middle East – Europe (London Gateway) and Trans-Atlantic (Southampton) Gemini services remain unchanged. The rest of our own operated services outside the scope of the Gemini Cooperation also remain unchanged. Our feeder and outport coverage will be confirmed over the upcoming weeks and communicated accordingly with customers.”

The move comes as DP World begins operations at the newly launched fourth berth at London Gateway. The 430-metre berth, equipped with a fully electric fleet is described as the world’s first all-electric berth. The terminal’s sustainability-focused track record aligns well with the Gemini partners’ decarbonisation strategy.

Read also: DP World goes ahead with London Gateway investment

Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk, expects the full rollout of the Gemini Cooperation network, with all ships operating under the new structure, to take approximately 13 weeks. Maersk anticipates that the new hub-and-spoke network model will enhance reliability and significantly improve asset turnover, allowing the company to accommodate market growth over the next two to three years without expanding its fleet. Hapag-Lloyd, on the other hand, has announced a massive investment in newbuilding fleet, having placed an order for 24 ships at Chinese yards earlier this month.