Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have announced new East Asia–US West Coast services under the Gemini Cooperation, adding capacity during the current 90-day tariff suspension between China and the U.S.

Maersk’s TP9 Gemini service will link Xiamen – Busan – Long Beach – Xiamen, with the first sailing by the 4,600 TEU Maersk Rhone departing Long Beach on June 24, redirected from a West Africa–Asia loop.

Hapag-Lloyd will join the eastbound leg with the 4,250 TEU Synergy Keelung starting July 1 from Xiamen to Keelung.

Analyst Lars Jensen noted the services could increase transpacific westbound capacity by 1.2%, while Sea-Intelligence reported an 11% capacity jump across the transpacific trade last week.

Separately, Maersk is raising Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) of $1,500–2,000 per container from South Asia and the Middle East to North America starting June 16.

CMA CGM highlighted increasing port congestion due to bad weather and strong winds. Current waiting times:

• Yangshan: 24–72 hrs
• Ningbo: 24–36 hrs
• Qingdao: 24–72 hrs
• Singapore: 12–36 hrs
• Busan (PNIT): up to 72 hrs
• Yokohama: 12–24 hrs