Maersk, the world's second-largest shipping company, and Hapag-Lloyd, the fifth-largest, have announced plans to reestablish their AE12 service, which connects Asia to the Mediterranean in both directions, via the Suez Canal. The new route will include stops at Ningbo, Shanghai, Tanjung Pelepas, Suez Canal, Algeciras, Koper, Rijeka, and back to Singapore. This move is part of the Gemini Cooperation, an operational alliance launched in 2025 to create a more reliable and connected global container transport network.
The decision to resume the Suez Canal route comes after several months of diversions via the Cape of Good Hope due to security concerns in the Red Sea. The Suez Canal is a vital corridor for international trade, offering the fastest and most efficient route between Asia and Europe. According to Maersk, the choice of itinerary remains dependent on the stability of the region and the absence of conflict escalation.
The first voyage of the AE12 service via the Suez Canal will be undertaken by the vessel Umm Qarn, departing from Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia, on October 27, and Algeciras, Spain, on December 5. This development is part of a larger trend, with both companies having already announced the return of four additional services to the Suez Canal route since September 14.
The Suez Canal has seen a significant increase in traffic in recent months, with 1,358 vessels transiting the canal in August, up 27% from the same period last year. The total tonnage reached 68.3 million tons, and revenues rose to $567.1 million, a 74% increase from August 2025. Maersk reported 67 vessel movements through the canal in September, compared to just eight in the same month last year.
The return of major shipping companies to the Suez Canal route is a welcome development for the Egyptian economy, which has seen a decline in canal revenues due to the security situation in the Red Sea. The canal's revenues plummeted from a record $10.25 billion in 2023 to $4.6 billion in 2025-2026, according to the Suez Canal Authority's president, Osama Rabie.
The Gemini Cooperation, launched by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd in 2025, aims to create a more reliable, flexible, and connected global container transport network. The alliance will offer a range of benefits, including improved transit times, increased capacity, and enhanced customer service.
The resumption of the Asia-Mediterranean route via the Suez Canal is a significant development for global trade, offering shippers a faster and more efficient route between Asia and Europe. The move is also expected to boost economic growth and trade volumes in the region.
Key points
- Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to resume Asia-Mediterranean route via Suez Canal from October 27.
- The Suez Canal has seen a significant increase in traffic, with revenues rising 74% in August.
- The Gemini Cooperation aims to create a more reliable and connected global container transport network.
