Structural changes to AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 Gemini services

We are pleased to share that Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are announcing a structural change to the following four Gemini services; AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2.

These services will now transit via the trans-Suez route instead of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. They join AE15 and AE19, the two Gemini Cooperation services already using the Suez routing.

What this means for you

AE5 - connects Asia and Northern Europe. This structural change will mean the service will have the following rotation:

Qingdao – Ningbo – Tanjung Pelepas – Suez Canal – London – Bremerhaven – Hamburg – Rotterdam – Algeciras – Suez Canal – Tanjung Pelepas

AE11 - connects Asia and the Mediterranean. The structural change will mean the service will have the following rotation:

Shanghai – Yantian – Tanjung Pelepas – Suez Canal – Port Tangier – Valencia – Barcelona – La Spezia – Genoa – Vado Ligure – Suez Canal – Singapore

AE12 - connects Asia and the Mediterranean. The structural change will mean the service will have the following rotation:

Ningbo – Shanghai – Tanjung Pelepas – Suez Canal – Algeciras – Koper – Rijeka – Algeciras – Suez Canal – Singapore

ME2 - connects India and Europe, the structural change will mean the service will have the following rotation:

Ennore – Colombo – Suez Canal – Algeciras – Rotterdam – London – Hamburg – Port Tangier – Suez Canal – Colombo

Changes will take effect from

For the Westbound direction, changes will take effect as below:

Please note that the first sailing for the AE12 service will be communicated at later stage.

More efficient transit times

The Suez Canal is a vital maritime corridor between East and West and a key driver of efficient global supply chains. The route through the Suez and the Red Sea is the fastest, most sustainable and most efficient way to serve customers with transport between Asia and Europe. By transitioning the AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 services to the trans-Suez corridor instead of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, we will offer more efficient transit times for customers.

Next steps

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will continue to monitor the security situation in the Middle East region very closely, and any alteration to services within the Gemini Cooperation will remain dependent on the ongoing stability in the Red Sea area and the absence of any escalation in conflicts in the region. The safety of the crew, the vessels, and customers' cargo remains the highest priority.

Need more information?

If you have any questions about these changes and how they may impact your supply chain and business, please contact your local Maersk representative. Our teams are standing by and ready to assist.