February 06, 2026
A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) and Hapag-Lloyd announced they decided to change the routing of one of their shared services under the Gemini Cooperation, transitioning it through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. All passages will be secured by naval assistance.
The service in scope is the IMX service, which connects India and the Middle East with the Mediterranean. From mid-February, changes will be implemented on westbound sailings as of vessel "Albert Maersk" and on eastbound sailings as of vessel "Astrid Maersk".
The implementation will be carried out in a way that keeps disruption for customers to a minimum, upholding the Gemini Cooperation's trademark of industry leading schedule reliability.
The highest possible security precautions will be undertaken, as the safety of the crew, the vessels, and the customers' cargo remains the highest priority of both carriers. 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.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd launched their operational collaboration "Gemini Cooperation" on February 1, 2025. The cooperation's network covers 29 shared mainliner and 29 shared shuttle services on East-West trade routes.
Source: Hapag-Lloyd