A new chapter in global shipping logistics began when the container vessel Charm C docked at the Port of Gothenburg—marking the first call under the newly formed Gemini cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. The port call launches a dedicated shuttle loop between Gothenburg, Wilhelmshaven, and Bremerhaven, aimed at feeding into the wider Gemini network connecting Asia and North America.
The Gemini alliance, announced earlier this year, represents a bold shift toward simplifying ocean freight routes. Instead of having ocean-going vessels make frequent direct port calls, the model now relies on a network of high-frequency shuttle services feeding major transshipment hubs. The goal? Improve schedule reliability and minimize the cascading effects of global disruptions.
The Port of Gothenburg stands out as the only Swedish port included in the new system. Claes Sundmark, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the port, noted the strategic significance: “This collaboration is the biggest change in container shipping in many years… It’s both positive and logical that the shipping companies continue to invest in Gothenburg as a hub for the Scandinavian market.”
The Charm C, with its 2,500 TEU capacity, will operate weekly from APM Terminals in Gothenburg. From there, cargo will connect via Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven to long-haul services destined for key markets across Asia, the Middle East, India, and North America.
Birna Odefors, Area MD Scandinavia at Maersk, emphasized the focus on dependability: “Our ambition with the new traffic structure is to offer the industry a frequent service with high quality… We have a lot of confidence in the Gemini system.”
Echoing that sentiment, Kristoffer Hellstrand, Country Manager at Hapag-Lloyd Sweden, pointed to the collaborative potential: “The collaboration within Gemini allows us to create even greater value for our customers… [It] leads to a more stable and efficient system with fewer disruptions and delays.”
To support this shift, Maersk has also introduced two complementary services: one linking Gothenburg directly with Bremerhaven, and another extending that route through Hamburg and Gdansk. These routes are being handled by three larger vessels, each with a capacity of up to 6,000 TEU.
With fewer port calls and more structured connections, Gemini’s model appears to prioritize reliability over scale, signaling a deliberate shift in strategy for global container logistics.
