TRIESTE – Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are considering a return to Red Sea and Suez Canal routings for some Far East–Mediterranean services, with potential knock-on effects for Adriatic connections as well.
A.P. Moller – Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have decided to change the routing of one of the shared services within the Gemini Cooperation, switching it back to the Red Sea and Suez Canal passage, with transits to be supported by naval assistance.
The change directly concerns the IMX service, linking India and the Middle East with the Mediterranean.
As far as the Adriatic is concerned, the most relevant aspect is the possibility of further adjustments to the SE1 and SE3 services as well. In particular, SE1 is the service connecting the Far East with the North Adriatic, calling at Koper and Rijeka. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd said that, when conditions allow, these services could also return to Suez transit, with more detailed communications to be provided at a later stage to operators and customers.
The carriers specify that, at present, no further changes to the Gemini network are planned in connection with the Red Sea situation. Implementation will be managed to minimise operational disruption, while keeping schedule reliability—one of the key pillars of the cooperation between the two carriers—as the main objective.
Security remains central. All transits will be carried out with maximum precautions, with absolute priority given to the protection of crews, vessels and cargoes. The geopolitical situation in the area will continue to be monitored constantly, and any further service adjustments will depend on Red Sea stability and the absence of conflict escalation.
The Gemini Cooperation has been operational since 1 February 2025 and covers a total of 29 mainline services and 29 shared shuttles on the main East–West routes.
