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Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have decided to change the routing of one of the shared services under the Gemini Cooperation. From mid-February 2026, a structural change will be implemented to Maersk’s ME11 service, transitioning it through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The transfer of the ME11 marks a key milestone, enabling more efficient transit times for customers.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will continue to monitor the security situation in the Middle East region very closely, and any alteration to the Gemini service will remain dependent on the ongoing stability in the Red Sea area and the absence of any escalation in conflicts in the region. The safety of the crew, the vessels, and customers’ cargo remains the highest priority, and all necessary security measures will be applied for vessels transiting the area. Contingency plans are in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual sailings or the wider structural change of the ME11 service back to the Cape of Good Hope route.
When possible, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will also implement changes to AE12 and AE15 services to go through Red Sea and the Suez Canal at a later stage. In this respect, further information to customers and other relevant stakeholders will follow in due course. No further changes to the Gemini network related to the Red Sea are foreseen at this time.
Transitioning to the trans-Suez corridor
ME11:
For ME11, these changes will be implemented on westbound sailings as of vessel Albert Maersk, voyage 605W, en route from Jebel Ali to India and expected to call the port of Mundra, departing from Mundra on 04 February 2026. On eastbound sailings as of vessel Astrid Maersk, voyage 605E, departing Valencia, Spain on 03 February 2026.
Westbound
| Vessel Code | Vessel Name | Last port before Suez | Dep. Voyage | Dep. Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vessel Code
BN1
|
Vessel Name
ALBERT MAERSK
|
Last port before
Suez
Salalah Terminal
|
Dep. Voyage
605W
|
Dep. Date
12-Feb
|
|
Vessel Code
Y66
|
Vessel Name
MAERSK HANOI
|
Last port before
Suez
Salalah Terminal
|
Dep. Voyage
606W
|
Dep. Date
19-Feb
|
|
Vessel Code
V5R
|
Vessel Name
ALEXANDRA MAERSK
|
Last port before
Suez
Salalah Terminal
|
Dep. Voyage
607W
|
Dep. Date
26-Feb
|
|
Vessel Code
K1O
|
Vessel Name
MAERSK HOUSTON
|
Last port before
Suez
Salalah Terminal
|
Dep. Voyage
608W
|
Dep. Date
5-Mar
|
|
Vessel Code
V5O
|
Vessel Name
ASTRID MAERSK
|
Last port before
Suez
Salalah Terminal
|
Dep. Voyage
609W
|
Dep. Date
12-Mar
|
Eastbound
| Vessel Code | Vessel Name | Last port before Suez | Dep. Voyage | Dep. Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vessel Code
V5O
|
Vessel Name
ASTRID MAERSK
|
Last port before
Suez
Port Tangiers
|
Dep. Voyage
605E
|
Dep. Date
6-Feb
|
|
Vessel Code
T9L
|
Vessel Name
MAERSK CLEVELAND*
|
Last port before
Suez
Port Tangiers
|
Dep. Voyage
606E
|
Dep. Date
14-Feb
|
|
Vessel Code
Y69
|
Vessel Name
MAERSK HERRERA
|
Last port before
Suez
Port Tangiers
|
Dep. Voyage
607E
|
Dep. Date
20-Feb
|
|
Vessel Code
Y68
|
Vessel Name
MAERSK HAMBURG
|
Last port before
Suez
Port Tangiers
|
Dep. Voyage
608E
|
Dep. Date
27-Feb
|
|
Vessel Code
V5S
|
Vessel Name
ANGELICA MAERSK
|
Last port before
Suez
Port Said
|
Dep. Voyage
609E
|
Dep. Date
23-Feb
|
|
Vessel Code
K1N
|
Vessel Name
MAERSK HUACHO
|
Last port before
Suez
Port Said
|
Dep. Voyage
610E
|
Dep. Date
2-Mar
|
Please note this schedule may be subject to change.
*Please note there is an exception on the Maersk Cleveland which will continue its journey around the Cape of Good Hope.
Transit time improvement on ME11:
| Geo-direction | Corridor | First Vessel | Transit time improvement | Import location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Geo-direction
Westbound
|
Corridor
Salalah to Port Said
|
First Vessel
ALBERT MAERSK
|
Transit time
improvement
19 days
|
Import location
Port Said
|
|
Geo-direction
Westbound
|
Corridor
Salalah to Valencia
|
First Vessel
ALBERT MAERSK
|
Transit time
improvement
0 days
|
Import location
Valencia
|
|
Geo-direction
Eastbound
|
Corridor
Port Said to Salalah
|
First Vessel
ASTRID MAERSK
|
Transit time
improvement
7 days
|
Import location
Salalah
|
|
Geo-direction
Eastbound
|
Corridor
Valencia to Salalah
|
First Vessel
ASTRID MAERSK
|
Transit time
improvement
7 days
|
Import location
Salalah
|
Your next steps
We suggest you review your upcoming bookings on these services and ensure that you have sufficient insurance risk coverage for cargo going through the area. If you are looking for more information on what solutions we can help you with, click here for more information on insurance offerings or please speak with your customer representative.
Need more information?
If you have any questions about changes to the ME11 Gemini Service and how it may impact your supply chain and business, please contact us. Our teams are standing by and ready to assist.
Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in Maersk to meet your logistics needs.