Maersk has announced a comprehensive restructuring of its Gemini network, effective November 2026. Key initiatives include the launch of the new AE18 service and rotational adjustments to the AE2, AE11, AE12, AE19, and ME2 services. These changes follow the strategic realignment of Gemini’s Asia–Mediterranean services via the Suez Canal and are designed to enhance coverage, connectivity, and operational efficiency across North Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, the Adriatic, West Africa, and the East Coast of Latin America.
The new AE18 service—inaugurated by Maersk Edirne (voyage 647W) departing Shanghai on 22 November 2026—will consolidate west-Mediterranean hub coverage previously served by AE2, AE11, and AE12, while introducing a direct call at Xiamen. Its revised rotation is:
Shanghai → Xiamen → Tanjung Pelepas → Algeciras → Tangier → Algeciras → Xiamen
Concurrently, rotational updates to existing services are as follows:
• AE2: The westbound call at Tangier will be replaced with Rotterdam, strengthening direct connections from Ningbo and Shanghai to the Dutch port. Implementation begins with Moscow Maersk (voyage 646W), departing Ningbo on 15 November 2026.
• AE11: A westbound call at Salalah will be added, and the westbound Tangier call will be substituted with Port Said East. Estelle Maersk (voyage 647W), departing Shanghai on 17 November 2026, will be the first affected sailing.
• AE19: Shanghai will be replaced with Nansha, and Damietta will be added to the rotation. Ane Maersk (voyage 647W), departing Xingang on 18 November 2026, will commence the revised schedule.
• ME2: Jeddah will be introduced on the eastbound leg, establishing the first direct Maersk connection from Rotterdam, London Gateway, and Hamburg to Saudi Arabia. The updated rotation is:
Ennore → Colombo → Suez Canal → Algeciras → Rotterdam → London Gateway → Hamburg → Tangier → Suez Canal → Jeddah → Colombo
Maersk Tukang (voyage 649E) is scheduled to arrive in Jeddah on 20 December 2026.
• AE12: The Colombo call will be transferred from AE15 to AE12, enabling new transshipment links between the Adriatic ports of Koper and Rijeka and Sri Lanka. The revised rotation is:
Ningbo → Shanghai → Tanjung Pelepas → Suez Canal → Port Said East → Koper → Rijeka → Port Said East → Suez Canal → Colombo → Singapore
Alva Maersk (voyage 652E) is expected to arrive in Colombo on 12 January 2027, thereby extending onward connectivity to South India and Bangladesh.
Resource.: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/pK_V4UXAypCsLQSf8m5cSA