Gemini Adds Asia-Med Suez String, Eyes Full Suez Return by Q1

· Shipping · Denmark · Germany

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd's Gemini Cooperation has unveiled a further redesign of its Asia-Mediterranean network, adding a new Suez string and reorganising its regional hub-and-spoke model, with the changes due to roll out over the second half of November. The two carriers said they are aiming for a full resumption of Suez transits by the first quarter. The move comes as weekly scheduled capacity through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait reached 48% of pre-Houthi-attack levels last week, according to Xeneta. Carriers have been edging back to the Red Sea route after more than two years of diverting around the Cape of Good Hope because of attacks on ships, a diversion that added voyage days and absorbed vessel capacity. A broader return would shorten transit times on Asia-Europe trades and release tonnage back into the market.

Why it matters：The pace of the Red Sea normalisation sets freight rates and effective vessel supply on the world's main east-west trade, so Gemini's timetable is a signal for how quickly the wider industry unwinds its Cape diversions.

Key points

  • The redesigned Asia-Med network starts rolling out in the second half of November.
  • Bab el-Mandeb scheduled capacity last week was 48% of pre-attack levels, per Xeneta.
  • The carriers are targeting a full Suez return by the first quarter.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day