Maersk announces significant optimizations to the Gemini network with new service AE18 and adjustments to existing routes AE2, AE11, AE12, AE18, AE19, and ME2.
Maersk has issued two announcements confirming further optimisation of the Gemini network operated in partnership with Hapag-Lloyd, with adjustments spanning the AE2, AE11, AE12, AE18, AE19, and ME2 services.
Following the structural realignment of Asia-to-Mediterranean services completed earlier, Maersk has confirmed the introduction of the new AE18 service as a further reinforcement of the Gemini network. AE18 will operate alongside AE19 to consolidate coverage across existing West Mediterranean hubs.
The specific adjustments are as follows:
New AE18 service. The service absorbs coverage previously provided by the AE2, AE12, and AE11 services at Tanger Med and Algeciras, and adds a call at Xiamen. The updated port rotation is: Shanghai - Xiamen - Tanjung Pelepas - Algeciras - Tanger Med - Algeciras - Xiamen.
AE2 service. Rotterdam replaces Tanger Med on the westbound leg, strengthening direct connectivity from Ningbo and Shanghai to Rotterdam.
AE11 service. Salalah is added on the westbound leg, with Port Said replacing Tanger Med, while a new dedicated Salalah rotation is introduced.
AE19 service. Guangzhou Nansha replaces Shanghai to broaden Asia-to-Europe coverage, with an additional call at Damietta introduced to the rotation.
ME2 service. A new call at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is added to the service. The updated port rotation is: Ennore - Colombo - Suez Canal - Algeciras - Rotterdam - London - Hamburg - Tanger Med - Suez Canal - Jeddah - Colombo.
AE12 service. The updated port rotation is: Ningbo - Shanghai - Tanjung Pelepas - Suez Canal - Port Said East - Koper - Rijeka - Port Said East - Suez Canal - Colombo - Singapore.
