Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to Restart Red Sea Routing

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are preparing to return to Red Sea transits on one of their joint Gemini Cooperation services, taking a careful step back into the region after months of diverting ships around the Cape of Good Hope.

The Danish and German carriers confirmed that the ME11 service, which connects India and the Middle East with the Mediterranean, will once again sail through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. All voyages will operate with naval protection in place.

The revised routing is expected to begin in mid-February, starting with westbound sailings from the Albert Maersk and eastbound voyages from the AstridMaersk.

The partners said they may later introduce similar changes on the AE12 and AE15 services, depending on how conditions develop. For now, no further Red Sea adjustments across the Gemini network are planned.

Both companies emphasized that the decision is aimed at reducing disruption for customers while preserving the Gemini Cooperation’s commitment to schedule reliability.

Security remains central to the approach. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd stated that maximum safety precautions will be implemented, with the protection of crew, vessels, and cargo as the highest priority. Any additional changes will depend on continued regional stability and the absence of further escalation.

The Gemini Cooperation, launched in February 2025, includes 29 shared mainline services and 29 shuttle services across major East–West trade routes.

Earlier this year, Maersk made its first structural move back into the corridor by rerouting its MECL service, linking the Middle East and India with the US East Coast, through the Suez Canal. That decision followed trial sailings by MaerskSebarok and Maersk Denver as part of a gradual return to the route.