Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announce the 'Cape' route as the starting point for their Gemini Cooperation initiative
1 month ago
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announce the 'Cape' route as the starting point for their Gemini Cooperation initiative
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have confirmed their plan to launch the "Gemini Cooperation" by utilizing the Cape of Good Hope route starting February 1, 2025, citing ongoing security risks in the Red Sea. This decision highlights the persistent threat to shipping in the region, particularly due to the Iranian-backed Houthi campaign, which began during the Israel-Hamas conflict and continues to destabilize maritime routes.
In early September, both companies had outlined two possible operational scenarios for Gemini: a return to the Red Sea route if conditions improved or shifting to the Cape of Good Hope route if security concerns remained. With the crisis unresolved, they have now chosen the latter for the launch.
The new Cape of Good Hope network will feature 29 mainline services, supported by 28 regional shuttle services, and involve a fleet of around 340 vessels with a combined capacity of 3.7 million TEU. The aim is to achieve more than 90% schedule reliability, utilizing a "hub and spoke" model to link strategic hub ports with regional spoke ports.
Hapag-Lloyd's exit from THE Alliance at the end of January 2025, coinciding with the termination of the Maersk-MSC 2M Alliance, marks a significant realignment in global shipping partnerships.
Source: GCaptain