Gemini network 2026: Targeted enhancements build on industry-leading reliability
- Schedule reliability remains stable at 90 percent
- Stronger market coverage and faster products on key Asia-North Europe and Mediterranean trades
- New Service Explorer tool increases transparency for shipments
One year after its launch, the Gemini network continues to deliver industry-leading schedule reliability of minimum 90 percent and improved service quality. For 2026, Hapag-Lloyd and its partner Maersk will implement targeted optimizations that further strengthen key trade lanes while maintaining the network’s comprehensive global coverage. The implementation of the enhanced service setup starts in April 2026.
Far East – North Europe services: stronger coverage and faster connections
- NE2 will add a direct call at Antwerp, expanding hinterland reach and improving access to key Benelux and European cargo flows.
- NE3 will introduce a Baltic rotation with calls at Aarhus and Gothenburg, significantly enhancing market coverage in the Baltic region. Southampton will become the final European outbound call to Asia, strengthening UK export flows. In Asia, the service will call Yantian instead of Ningbo, improving optionality for customers favoring Pearl River Delta connectivity.
- NE4 will revert to its previous rotation without the Baltic loop, which is now covered by the NE3. This creates one of the fastest, direct Ningbo –Germany connections in the market, responding to strong customer demand.
Mediterranean services: enhanced speed, capacity and robustness
In the Mediterranean, the network adjustments focus on competitiveness and operational strength:
- SE1 will add Algeciras westbound and eastbound, delivering industry-leading transit times for Spain and adjacent markets – thereby significantly improving connections into the Adriatic through a streamlined rotation.
- SE3 will be upgraded to 20,000 TEU vessels, increasing capacity and product strength. A simplified rotation will enhance service robustness, with Istanbul and Izmit served via dedicated shuttle connections going forward. The service will call Port Said and new Hub terminal in Damietta, further supporting schedule reliability.
On the Transpacific and Transatlantic trades, previously announced adjustments remain in place, ensuring continuity and stability across the East – West network.
New digital tool: In parallel, Hapag-Lloyd is launching the online “Service Explorer” that provides an interactive, data-driven overview of its global network. Applicable to all Hapag-Lloyd services, the “Service Explorer” enhances transparency on routings, connections and transit times, further supporting ease of doing business for customers worldwide.
Network adjustments at a glance:
Far East – North Europe
- NE2: Shanghai – Yantian – Tanjung Pelepas - Rotterdam – Hamburg – Antwerp – London Gateway – Tangier (TC3) - Singapore
- NE3: Shanghai – Yantian – Tanjung Pelepas – London Gateway – Aarhus – Gothenburg – Rotterdam – Southampton - Singapore
- NE4: Qingdao – Ningbo – Tanjung Pelepas – London Gateway – Bremerhaven – Hamburg – Rotterdam – Algeciras – Tanjung Pelepas
Far East – Med
- SE1: Ningo – Shanghai - Tanjung Pelepas – Algeciras – Koper – Rijeka – Algeciras - Singapore
- SE3: Qingdao – Kwangyang – Ningbo – Tanjung Pelepas – Port Said East – Damietta – Colombo – Singapore
When possible, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk will implement changes to SE1/ AE12 and SE3/ AE15 services to go through Red Sea and the Suez Canal at a later stage. In this respect, further information to customers and other relevant stakeholders will follow in due course.
Already announced adjustments on Transpacific and Transatlantic trades:
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About Hapag-Lloyd
With a fleet of 305 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 2.5 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies. In the Liner Shipping segment, the Company has around 14,000 employees and 400 offices in 140 countries. Hapag-Lloyd has a container capacity of 3.8 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. A total of 130 liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports on all continents. In the Terminal & Infrastructure segment, Hapag-Lloyd has equity stakes in 22 terminals in Europe, Latin America, the United States, India and North Africa. Around 3,000 employees are assigned to the Terminal & Infrastructure segment and provide complementary logistics services at selected locations in addition to the terminal activities.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions, estimates, projections or plans that are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies. Actual results can differ materially from those anticipated in the Company’s forward-looking statements.