In the face of fluctuating markets and supply chain disturbances, a flexible and interconnected ocean network is paramount for businesses around the world. Disruptions, geopolitical events, and demand changes continue to highlight the need for reliability as a cornerstone in supply chains.
Maersk is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement for a new long-term operational collaboration called Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd. In a press statement today (January 17) Maersk said: “Together we aim to develop a new best-in-class network starting in February 2025.
“This partnership will be a strong match as we have a shared ambition and commitment to deliver quality. Through our combined fleets, our aspiration is to offer unrivalled schedule reliability, a far-reaching global network with competitive transit times and a reduced carbon footprint.”
Both companies are committed to the decarbonisation of their fleets and have set the most ambitious decarbonisation targets in the industry with Maersk aiming for net zero in 2040 and Hapag-Lloyd in 2045.
Reliability, reach and speed
“This new network will be implemented from 1 February 2025 and is uniquely positioned to give you, our customers, greater reliability, and speed. It will comprise a fleet pool of around 290 vessels with a combined capacity of 3.4 million containers (TEU); Maersk will deploy 60% and Hapag-Lloyd 40%.”
As part of the agreement, the network has set the ambitious target of delivering schedule reliability of above 90%, once the network is fully phased in. Improved service quality and improved transit times in many major port-to-port corridors as well as access to some of the world’s best connected ocean hubs, are some of the main things our customers can look forward to.
One size fits none
The cooperation will cover seven trades: Asia / North Europe, Asia / Mediterranean, Middle East – India / Europe, Asia / Middle East, Asia / US East Coast, Asia / US West Coast and Transatlantic and comprise of 26 mainline services. The mainline ocean services will be complemented by a global network of dedicated shuttles centred around owned and controlled transhipment hubs. These shuttle services will be spread as: 14 shuttle services in Europe, four in the Middle East, 13 in Asia and one in the Gulf of Mexico. These shuttle services will offer a fast connection with flexible capacity between hubs and ports served by shuttle services, and vice versa.
The new network has the goal of making an unparalleled improvement to schedule reliability, while maintaining competitive transit times and frequency, offering customers quality service and delivery promises. “We understand that at the core of your needs is the ability to build a robust and reliable supply chain that works for you, when you need it and how you need it,” says Maersk.
Supply chain management that works for the customer
There are several benefits from having this new set-up says Maersk in its statement. “It will give a further boost to the quality that we deliver to our customers. Fewer port calls per rotation will reduce the risk of disruptions and complexity to execute. The extended shuttle network is also focused on agility, which enables competitive transit time, fast response to both disruptions and market changes. By incorporating more ways to reach each port, we therefore not only increase flexibility, but also better protect our network from disruption.”
As a consequence of joining this cooperation, Hapag-Lloyd will leave THE Alliance end of January 2025. In January 2023, Maersk and MSC announced that the 2M alliance will end in January 2025.
During 2024, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will carefully plan the transition from their current alliances to the new operational cooperation. Concurrently, service to customers will continue along existing agreements. From now until January 2025, 2M continues to be a highly reliable network on the East West trades.
