The network will consist of approximately 340 vessels operating across 57 services, including 29 mainline routes and 28 intraregional shuttle services. With a total capacity of 3.7 million TEU, the focus will be on key East-West trade lanes. The transition to this new structure will continue through late May, with June 2025 marking the first full month of operations.
Changes in Shipping Alliances
The introduction of the Gemini Cooperation comes amid broader shifts in global shipping alliances. Maersk and MSC have officially ended their 2M Alliance, while Hapag-Lloyd has exited THE Alliance to form its new partnership with Maersk.
As a result, Ocean Network Express (ONE), HMM, and Yang Ming Marine Transportation will establish the Premier Alliance. Expected to launch in February 2025 pending regulatory approval from the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), this five-year agreement will focus on major trade routes between Asia, North America, and Europe.
Meanwhile, MSC, the world’s largest shipping company, has chosen to operate independently rather than join a new alliance.
Routing Adjustments and Industry Impact
Due to ongoing security concerns in the Red Sea, the Gemini network will route its vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. This measure, first announced in October 2024, will remain in place until conditions in the Red Sea improve.
In this new competitive landscape, the Ocean Alliance—comprising CMA CGM, Evergreen, Cosco, and OOCL—remains the largest shipping alliance. In contrast, the Gemini Cooperation is expected to have the fewest weekly sailings among the major alliances in 2025.
Johan Sigsgaard, Chief Product Officer at Maersk, highlighted the extensive planning behind the transition: “Over the last year, we have carefully planned this to ensure that all our customers experience a smooth transition into the new network. With its innovative design, we believe our customers will benefit from increased reliability, flexibility, and more competitive products.”
The reshaping of global shipping alliances signals a new era for container transportation, with a strong emphasis on service reliability and operational efficiency.
Source: Gcaptain - Mike Schuler
