The name says it all. Like twins, the ocean giants, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, intend to closely interlink their global transport capacities. The starting signal will be given on 01FEB25, but preparations are already in full swing at the companies’ headquarters in Copenhagen and Hamburg. The first focal points of the future cooperation have now been presented.
The network planners for maritime routes linking the Far East and Europe, are currently working on two options: the passage through the Suez Canal and – as an alternative – the bypass of the African continent currently practiced by both shipping companies for security reasons. Which of the two networks will be given the final go depends on geopolitical rather than operational factors. In a nutshell: should the Houthi rebels stop shelling commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the Suez Canal will be given top sailing priority. However, should the assaults continue, depending on the conflict between Israel and the Houthi-supported Hamas terrorists, the much longer route around the Cape of Good Hope will be retained.
In OCT24, the Gemini partners will disclose their network priority including operational specifics, they state in a joint announcement. Depending on the network decision, between 57-59 services will be offered to the market each month. This includes mainliners and extensive feeder services. In total, they will operate a fleet of 300–340 vessels, ensuring reliable transport capacity.
Improving punctuality is top of the Gemini agenda
In addition to a fine-tuned network structure, Gemini will also focus on the punctuality rate of its transports. “We will raise the bar for schedule reliability […] and set a new and very high standard in the industry,” both carriers promise in a joint release. It is a highly ambitious goal, as these figures illustrate: In JUL24, the Maersk fleet reached a punctuality rate of 54.6% on average – a decrease of 14.9% according to a year-on-year comparison.
Hapag-Lloyd’s performance is even poorer: 48,8% (JUL24) versus 61.7% (JUL23). However, its main competitors did even worse as a chart tabled by Sea Intelligence evidences:
The main reason for the sharp year-on-year decline in punctuality rates, results from the box carriers’ decision to circumvent Africa to avoid Houthi shelling. This results in significantly longer travel times, higher costs and more CO2 emissions.
ZIM and MSC partner
On Monday (09SEP24), the Israeli shipping company, ZIM, announced that it has entered into a new long-term vessel-sharing cooperation with Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), subject to regulatory approvals. The new services, scheduled to be launched in FEB25, are aimed at enhancing ZIM’s port coverage and operational efficiency. During the announcement, ZIM’s CEO, Eli Glickman emphasized ZIM’s focus on sustainability, noting that the shipping line’s LNG-powered vessels will play a key role in the partnership, reducing its environmental impact. The agreement spans three years and includes vessel sharing and slot swap arrangements across six services connecting ports in Asia, the U.S. East Coast, the Gulf, and the Caribbean.
