Partnerships, reorganized alliances, and a clear commitment to greater reliability and sustainability are reshaping the competitive landscape of global container shipping. Leading this transformation is the newly established Gemini Cooperation between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk. Yet, other partnerships and strategic realignments are also ensuring that 2025 will be remembered as a turning point for the industry.
What is the Gemini Cooperation?
The cooperation between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk officially began operations on February 1, 2025. Hapag-Lloyd had already announced in early 2024 that it would end its membership in THE Alliance by the end of January 2025 in order to enter into a long-term operational partnership with Maersk.
The new network deploys around 340 vessels with a combined capacity of approximately 3.7 million TEU. It operates 29 mainline services and 28 regional or shuttle feeder services, connecting major hub terminals with key intermediate ports. The network is based on a hub-and-spoke system with about 12 core hubs. Several of these terminals are owned or co-managed by the two partners, supported by efficient operations in key transshipment centers such as Singapore and Cartagena.
Goals and Added Value
A central objective of the Gemini Cooperation is to significantly improve schedule reliability. The partners have set an ambitious target of achieving a schedule reliability rate above 90% once the network is fully integrated, marking a substantial improvement over current industry standards.
Sustainability is another core focus. Through optimized sailing schedules, fewer port calls, and the use of modern, lower-emission vessels wherever possible, the partners aim to enhance the environmental performance of their operations.
Due to ongoing security risks in the Red Sea, including attacks on vessels and regional instability, the Gemini Cooperation currently avoids the area and routes its ships via the Cape of Good Hope. Once conditions improve, the alliance plans to return to the traditional route through the Red Sea.
Further Developments and Market Response
Following Hapag-Lloyd’s departure, THE Alliance is reorganizing itself and will reemerge under the name Premier Alliance, uniting the carriers ONE, HMM, and Yang Ming, which intend to strengthen their cooperation to remain competitive.
Meanwhile, MSC has announced its intention to operate independently on certain trade lanes but remains open to strategic collaborations such as slot-sharing agreements with other alliances. The Ocean Alliance, consisting of CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, and OOCL, continues to operate in its existing form, providing stability in a shifting market landscape.
Opportunities and Challenges
The new alliance structure offers notable opportunities for the global shipping industry. Improved reliability and transparency will benefit shippers and logistics providers, while optimized routing promises better vessel and terminal utilization and fewer idle periods. Ports and terminals designated as hubs within the Gemini network may see growing throughput and investment activity.
However, there are also challenges. The transition phase will extend well into mid-2025, involving rerouted vessels, revised schedules, and operational adjustments that may temporarily cause delays or capacity imbalances. The longer voyages via the Cape of Good Hope increase both transit times and fuel costs. Moreover, the reshaped market puts pressure on other alliances to adapt quickly through new partnerships, improved service agreements, or greater efficiency—those who fail to adjust risk losing market share.
Impact on Switzerland and Europe
For European and Swiss logistics markets, these developments carry significant implications. Ports integrated into or connected with the new hub structure could experience increased volumes and greater schedule reliability. Freight forwarders and logistics companies will need to reassess their supply chains in light of altered routes, transit times, and port rotations. At the same time, the growing emphasis on sustainability and service reliability is likely to influence both regulatory frameworks and customer expectations, particularly regarding CO₂ emissions, punctuality, and transparency.
Conclusion
The Gemini Cooperation represents a strategic new beginning for global container shipping. With a strong focus on reliability, sustainability, and network efficiency, it sets a clear signal for the industry’s future direction. Companies that proactively adapt their supply chains to this new environment stand to benefit from increased stability and long-term competitiveness.