Approximately 340 vessels will be phased into the shared ocean network of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, with the first voyage commencing on February 1st. More vessels will gradually follow the new schedule.

The transition period is expected to last until the end of May, during which ships will progressively enter the new shipping network, and agreements between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd with other shipping companies will expire. June will mark the first full month of Gemini operations, with all vessels adhering to the Gemini schedule.

The shared network of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd covers east-west routes and will include 29 efficient ocean liner services, along with an extensive network of 28 flexible regional shuttle services.

Johan Sigsgaard, Chief Product Officer of Maersk Ocean: "We are now ready to gradually activate the new network. Over the past year, we have meticulously planned this to ensure a smooth transition for all our customers to the new network. With innovative design, we believe our customers will benefit from higher reliability, flexibility, and more competitive offerings."

Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd: "Launching the new network is a fantastic opportunity for all of us. With our target schedule reliability, we will meet one of the most critical needs of our customers and set new quality standards in the industry. Together with our operational partner Maersk, we are focused on delivering a 90% schedule reliability commitment."

As announced in October 2024, the Gemini network will reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, continuing to closely monitor and analyze the latest developments and their impact on the security situation in the Red Sea, and will only return to the Red Sea when it is safe to do so.

The shipping alliance landscape is undergoing significant changes.

THE Alliance has been renamed Premier Alliance, and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will help fill the gaps on the Asia-Europe routes.

MSC "parted ways" with Maersk in the 2M vessel sharing agreement, largely going solo, followed by Hapag-Lloyd's exit from THE Alliance to form the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk.

According to analysis by Asian container shipping consultancy Linerlytica, by February 1st, the Ocean Alliance, composed of COSCO, OOCL, CMA CGM, and Evergreen, will be the only alliance remaining intact and will also be the alliance with the largest market share and the most extensive market coverage this year.

Alphaliner data shows that the Ocean Alliance will deploy a total of about 390 container ships, with an estimated nominal capacity of nearly 5 million TEU.

Linerlytica data indicates that the Ocean Alliance will dominate the Trans-Pacific routes, with 15 services to the West Coast and 8 to the East Coast. The Ocean Alliance will also have the most extensive coverage in Northern Europe, adding a seventh service, comparable to MSC's coverage. According to Linerlytica, MSC will remain the leading carrier in the Mediterranean, with the Swiss company offering six weekly services.

Additionally, Linerlytica data shows that the Gemini Alliance, composed of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, will become the smallest alliance with the fewest weekly services by 2025.