Hapag-Lloyd has announced a comprehensive restructuring of its Far East–Europe network under the Gemini Cooperation, effective from mid-November 2026. This initiative includes the launch of a new Asia–South Europe 5 (SE5) service and coordinated adjustments across six existing services linking Asia with Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

The revisions encompass optimized port rotations, strategic additions of port calls, and enhanced transhipment connectivity via key Mediterranean hubs—aimed at improving schedule reliability, cargo velocity, and regional network integration.

New Asia–South Europe 5 (SE5) Service  

The SE5 service establishes a dedicated direct link between Central and Southern China and the Western Mediterranean, calling at Algeciras (Spain) and Tangier Med (Morocco). It further enables seamless onward connections to West Africa via Tangier Med.

Port rotation:  

Shanghai → Xiamen → Tanjung Pelepas → Suez Canal → Algeciras → Tangier Med → Algeciras → Suez Canal → Xiamen  

The inaugural voyage will be operated by the "Maersk Edirne" (Voyage 647W), scheduled to berth at Shanghai on 22 November 2026.

Adjustments to Existing South Europe Services  

Hapag-Lloyd will implement targeted modifications to its SE1, SE2, SE3, and SE4 services to strengthen intra-Mediterranean connectivity and improve alignment with evolving trade flows:

• SE1: Replaces Algeciras with westbound and eastbound calls at Port Said (Egypt); adds Colombo (Sri Lanka) to the eastbound rotation—enhancing connectivity between the Adriatic, South Asia, and the broader Asian network.  

• SE2: Substitutes westbound Tangier Med with Port Said and introduces a new westbound call at Salalah (Oman); retains calls at Valencia, Barcelona, La Spezia, Genoa, and Vado Ligure.  

• SE3: Adopts a streamlined Mediterranean rotation via Port Said and Damietta (Egypt); discontinues the eastbound call at Colombo.  

• SE4: Adds Nansha (China) to the rotation and removes Shanghai; introduces a westbound call at Damietta while retaining Port Said.

These updates collectively reinforce Hapag-Lloyd’s hub-and-spoke architecture in the Mediterranean, expanding feeder reach and improving export market access for shippers across Asia.

The NE1 service will undergo a structural reconfiguration, positioning Rotterdam as its first European port of call—and removing Tangier Med from the rotation.

Revised port rotation:  

Ningbo → Shanghai → Tanjung Pelepas → Rotterdam → Wilhelmshaven → Bremerhaven → Rotterdam → Salalah → Singapore  

The first vessel operating under the revised schedule will be the "Moscow Maersk" (Voyage 646W), scheduled to arrive at Ningbo on 13 November 2026.

Implementation Timeline  

All adjustments will be introduced progressively from mid-November 2026, with individual services transitioning in accordance with their published vessel schedules. Customers are advised to consult updated sailing timetables and service advisories for operational planning.

Resource.: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/OHvykV6QwkDlxbj5mJQr3A