Industry giants Hapag-Lloyd AG and Maersk A/S, a subsidiary of A.P. Moller – Maersk, have inked a landmark agreement for a transformative long-term operational collaboration known as the “Gemini Cooperation.” This strategic alliance is slated to kick off in February 2025, heralding a new era of flexibility and interconnectedness in the oceanic realm while prioritizing unparalleled reliability.
Rolf Habben Jansen, the CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “Teaming up with Maersk will help us to further boost the quality we deliver to our customers. Additionally, we will benefit from efficiency gains in our operations and joint efforts to further accelerate the decarbonization of our industry.”
The synergy will manifest through a fleet pool comprising approximately 290 vessels, boasting a formidable combined capacity of 3.4 million containers (TEU). Maersk is set to deploy 60%, while Hapag-Lloyd will contribute 40% to this maritime powerhouse.
Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “We are pleased to enter this cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, which is the ideal ocean partner on our strategic journey. By entering this cooperation, we will be offering our customers a flexible ocean network that will be raising the bar for reliability in the industry.”
As part of their commitment to excellence, both companies have set an ambitious target of achieving schedule reliability exceeding 90% once the network is fully phased in. This pact promises improved service quality, reduced transit times in major port-to-port corridors, and enhanced access to some of the world’s most well-connected ocean hubs for customers.
Crucially, the collaboration aligns with the shared commitment of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to decarbonize their fleets aggressively. Maersk aims for net-zero emissions by 2040, with Hapag-Lloyd targeting the same goal by 2045.
However, progress often requires change, and in this case, it means leaving existing alliances. Hapag-Lloyd is set to bid farewell to THE Alliance at the end of January 2025. This follows Maersk and MSC’s announcement in January 2023 that the 2M alliance will conclude in January 2025.
In the interim, 2024 will be a year of meticulous planning for Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd as they navigate the transition from their current alliances to the revolutionary “Gemini Cooperation.” Meanwhile, customer service will continue seamlessly in adherence to existing agreements.
Stay tuned for more details about the “Gemini Cooperation,” including new vessel schedules, as the maritime giants chart a course towards an industry-defining future.
