An update on the Gemini Cooperation – 06/08/2024

We previously shared information a couple of weeks ago that the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has halted the Gemini Cooperation and demanded more information from Maersk and Hapag Lloyd. 

Here’s the latest from HPL:

Despite FMC asking for more information about the new alliance, HPL confirms they are still confident in their plans to leave THEA effective from end of January 2025. Until then today’s network runs as per normal.

HPL’s new long term operational cooperation with Maersk will commence from February 2025, which will be called “Gemini Cooperation”. It will cover 7 global trades and 26 mainline services:

• 290 modern and efficient vessels with an overall capacity of 3.4 million TEU
• In scope services incl Transatlantic, India/Middle East – Europe, Asia-Europe, Asia-Med, Asia-Middle East, Asia-USEC + Asia-USWC
• Out of scope services incl Africa, Europe-Canada, India-North America, Latam-Asia, Latam-Europe, Intra Americas, Intra Europe, Intra Asia + Oceania, these will continue to run outside of the cooperation.

The decision to enter into the Gemini Cooperation is underpinned by HPL’s goal of becoming the number one carrier in terms of quality, and a key aspect of this is ensuring schedule reliability and on-time delivery. Once this new cooperation is fully phased in, HPL’s target will be to achieve:

• An industry leading schedule reliability of >90%. This will be achieved through a mutual punctuality promise, the setup of controlled hubs and owned shuttle services.
• Excellent network coverage with efficient connections and competitive transit times. This will be centred around utilising selected hubs that are jointly controlled, using dedicated and owned shuttle services to an extensive port network.
• Accelerate sustainability efforts. Various levers available within the cooperation to achieve this, such as larger ships, alternative fuels, slow steaming and reduced waiting times.

We are seeking more information from HPL on what plans they have to change schedules as well as more information on whether there will be changes to designated ports, particularly between Felixstowe and Southampton.

We continue to work with Hapag to better understand plans and will update customers with further information as it comes to light.  HPL Asia is planning to host training for the Gemini Partnership in Singapore, and Ligentia will be involved in this. We’ll provide a further update on the Gemini Partnership in September.