Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have asked for more information on the creation of Gemini Co-operation, adding a twist to their launch plans.
The two European container lines will join forces next year to create the new liner grouping, which still needs approval from regulators around the world.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in Washington has asked the pair for more information. The FMC said it needs clarity on issues that have not been addressed by the filing parties and argues that the information provided so far is not detailed enough to fully analyse Gemini Co-operation’s potential competitive impact.
Analysts at Danish consultancy Sea-Intelligence downplayed the impact of the FMC’s intervention, noting in their latest weekly report:
At this point, this development should not be seen as threatening to the Gemini Co-operation, but more of an administrative burden to be lifted.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd plan to launch the Gemini co-operation in February 2025, combining their fleets to create a global network with nearly 300 vessels and a capacity of more than 3 million TEU. The partnership aims to achieve more than 90 per cent schedule reliability using a hub-and-spoke model.
The new network will cover seven trade routes including Asia/Northern Europe, Asia/Mediterranean, Middle East-India/Europe, Asia/Middle East, Asia/Middle East, Asia/East Coast of the US, Asia/West Coast of the US and Transatlantic, consisting of 26 mainline voyages and a global network of dedicated shuttles centred around owned and controlled transhipment hubs.
As part of the agreement, Hapag-Lloyd will exit THE alliance at the end of January 2025, coinciding with the termination of the 2M alliance by Maersk and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company.
