The Gemini Cooperation has made a structural change to its ME11 service, marking it as the first in the network to resume transits through the Red Sea as carriers gradually restore east–west routings via the Suez Canal.
"Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have decided to change the routing of one of the shared services under the Gemini Cooperation," Maersk said in a statement.
It added that 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."
The Gemini Cooperation of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd said they 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," Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd said.
Contingency plans are also 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," the announcement said.
"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," the two ocean carriers added.
Transition to the trans‑Suez corridor
For the ME11 service, westbound changes take effect with the Albert Maersk (voyage 605W), sailing from Jebel Ali to India and scheduled to depart Mundra on February 4, 2026. Eastbound adjustments begin with the Astrid Maersk (voyage 605E), departing Valencia on February 3, 2026.
