Gemini - an allicance between Maersk & Hapaq Llloyd

As the Gemini rollout kicks into gear, APM Terminals expects to handle 30% more container moves at its hub terminals thanks to strategic investments.

The phase-in of the new vessel-sharing alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, known as the Gemini Cooperation, is set to begin, with the first ship departing on Saturday, 1 February 2025 as part of the launch. The rotation-led phase-in follows a year of meticulous planning to ensure smooth integration, including working with customers to prepare for the shift, ensuring they are informed about which ships are switching over and assisting with booking arrangements.

Speaking at a news briefing on the Network of the Future held on Monday, Lars Mikael Jensen, head of Hubs at APM Terminals, said: “We’re all excited. We’ve planned for a long time with the terminals, and when I speak to them, they say, ‘Just bring it on, we’re ready.'”

The key differentiators of the new “hub and spoke” model include its streamlined structure, relying on the partners’ owned terminals for transhipment. This means the network will have fewer stops on mainliner loops, which correlates with shorter transit times and fewer delays, resulting in more predictability. The initiative includes 59 services, split between 29 mainliners and 28 shuttles covered by approximately 340 vessels, representing a total capacity of 3.4m TEU. The partners will treat shuttles as extensions of mainline vessels, ensuring priority handling at ports. This integration is expected to yield smoother operations, faster turnaround times, and improved connectivity between mainline and shuttle vessels as Gemini seeks to achieve 90% schedule reliability.

Predictability increase

Jensen said that the one “big thing” Gemini roll-out will bring for the terminals is the predictability it will get from Maersk’s Ocean division. For example, terminals will now be able to forecast with greater accuracy when to schedule crane overhauls, eliminating the need for last-minute adjustments.

30% more container moves

Once the Gemini network is fully rolled out, APM Terminals is set to handle 30% more container moves at its hub terminals thanks to strategic investments in port infrastructure and capacity enhancements made over the recent years worth around US$ 3 billion.

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Everything is ready for Gemini rollout on Saturday ‣ WorldCargo News