Hapag-Lloyd and A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) are to reroute four Gemini Cooperation services through the Red Sea following an assessment of the current security situation in the region.
The NE4, SE1, SE2 and IEX services will transition from routing via the Cape of Good Hope to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, providing a shorter connection between Asia and Europe.
The changes will be introduced progressively, beginning with westbound sailings in September.
For the westbound direction, the SE2 service will make its last call before transiting Suez with Antonia Maersk on voyage 635W from Tanjung Pelepas on 19 September 2026.
The IEX service will follow with Cornelia Maersk on voyage 638W from Colombo on 19 September, while the NE4 service will transition with Marchen Maersk on voyage 635W from Tanjung Pelepas on 21 September.
For eastbound sailings, the NE4 service will transition with Maastricht Maersk on voyage 637E from Algeciras on 22 September. The SE2 service will follow with Maersk Halifax on voyage 637E from Vado Ligure on 28 September.
READ: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd add Jeddah to Suez-Bound service
The IEX service will transition eastbound with Cornelia Maersk on voyage 643E from Port Tangier on 31 October.
The first sailing for the SE1 service using the Red Sea route will be announced at a later date.
The carriers said the Red Sea route provides a more efficient connection for the affected services and will enable faster transit times for cargo moving between Asia and Europe.
The decision marks a further shift in container shipping’s approach to the Red Sea, where carriers have largely diverted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope since attacks on commercial shipping intensified.
Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk said they will continue to monitor the security situation and provide customers with updates if further changes are required.
For more information:
Maersk – https://www.maersk.com/
Hapag-Lloyd – https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/home.html
