The Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd is switching up its AE5/NE4 service between Asia and Europe amid persisting port congestion in Europe.

Maersk said from week 35 onwards, the AE5 service will include Aarhus and Gothenburg, and will advance Hamburg before Bremerhaven.

This means that the AE5 will have a new service rotation, with the first call in Aarhus, on Morten Maersk, on September 1, 2025.

With the change, the AE5 service will follow the Qingdao – Yantian – Tanjung Pelepas - London – Hamburg – Bremerhaven - Aarhus – Gothenburg – Rotterdam – Tanjung Pelepas – Yantian – Qingdao port rotation.

Maesk noted that since April 2025, Europe has been facing varying levels of congestion due to a strong demand influx, resulting in a temporary risk of delay.  

"The goal of the East-West Network is to reduce volatility in your supply chains by delivering industry-leading reliability," the shipping line said. "The modularity aspect of the network unlocks a unique solution space to address challenges, predicted or not, so we can continue to offer you improved stability for your supply chain."

"With changes to the AE5 rotation, we are responding to our assessment of the current operational situation in Europe at large," Maersk further said.

Additionally, the Danish shipping line said the APM terminal facility in Aarhus is uniquely located and has established capabilities that allow it to reconfigure its shuttle coverage in the geography.

These shuttle vessels will then be actively redeployed to respond in locations with an increased disruption risk to our customers' business within the European geography. 

Under the Gemini Cooperation network launched by Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk in February 2025, the original AE5/NE4 European rotation included London Gateway and Germany’s Bremerhaven and Hamburg ports. Starting in September, the service will expand to include additional calls at Aarhus (Denmark) and Gothenburg (Sweden), reflecting efforts to improve regional coverage amid ongoing congestion across Northern Europe.

Hamburg, one of the most affected ports, has faced mounting delays due to labor shortages, alliance restructuring, and inland transport disruptions, and as Gemini phases in its new rotations, the carriers are adjusting schedules to navigate bottlenecks and maintain reliability.