Hapag-Lloyd to Adjust Six Asia–Europe Services Under Gemini Cooperation from November 2026

Source: Hapag-Lloyd

Hapag-Lloyd has announced plans to revise its Far East–Europe service network under the Gemini Cooperation, including the introduction of the Asia South Europe 5 (SE5) service.

Scheduled to take effect from November 2026, the plan covers six services connecting Asia with Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. The changes include revised port rotations, the addition or removal of certain port calls, and adjustments to transshipment connections through key Mediterranean hubs.

SE5 Service Connects Asia with the Western Mediterranean

The SE5 service is designed to provide a direct connection between central and southern China and the Western Mediterranean, calling at Algeciras, Spain, and Tangier Med, Morocco. Through Tangier Med, the service will also offer connections to onward services to West Africa.

According to the published schedule, the SE5 port rotation will be as follows:

Shanghai – Xiamen – Tanjung Pelepas – Suez Canal – Algeciras – Tangier Med – Algeciras – Suez Canal – Xiamen

The Maersk Edirne (voyage 647W) is expected to be the first vessel deployed on the SE5 service, with its Shanghai call scheduled for November 22, 2026.

Adjustments to Mediterranean Services

Alongside the introduction of SE5, Hapag-Lloyd will revise the port rotations of four services: SE1, SE2, SE3 and SE4.

●    SE1: Algeciras will be removed from the rotation, while Port Said will be added for both westbound and eastbound sailings. Colombo will also be added to the eastbound rotation, strengthening connections between the Adriatic region, Sri Lanka and the Asian service network.

●    SE2: Port Said will replace Tangier on the westbound rotation, and Salalah will be added as a westbound port of call. The service will continue to call at Valencia, Barcelona, La Spezia, Genoa and Vado Ligure.

●    SE3: The Mediterranean port rotation will be simplified, focusing on Port Said and Damietta. Colombo will be removed from the eastbound rotation.

●    SE4: Nansha in southern China will be added, while Shanghai will be removed from the rotation. Damietta will also be added to the westbound rotation alongside the existing call at Port Said.

These adjustments will reshape port rotations and transshipment connections between Asia and Mediterranean markets through key regional hubs.

Rotterdam to Become NE1's First European Port of Call

In Northern Europe, Hapag-Lloyd will also revise its North Europe Express 1 (NE1) service. Under the new rotation, Rotterdam will become the first European port of call, while Tangier will be removed from the service.

The revised NE1 port rotation will be:

Ningbo – Shanghai – Tanjung Pelepas – Rotterdam – Wilhelmshaven – Bremerhaven – Rotterdam – Salalah – Singapore

The Moscow Maersk (voyage 646W) is expected to be the first vessel to operate under the revised schedule, with its Ningbo call scheduled for November 13, 2026.

The changes are expected to be rolled out from mid-November 2026. The exact implementation date will depend on the published sailing schedule for each service.

See more:

• Port of Rotterdam Container Throughput Remains Nearly Flat as Transshipment Volumes Fall 20%
• Strait of Hormuz Sees Further Attacks as Two Commercial Vessels Sink
• Port of Oakland Signals Recovery as September Container Throughput Rises 5.4%
• Mega-Container Vessels Return to the Suez Canal Despite Persistent Red Sea Risks
• Ship Recycling Activity Drops to More Than 50-Year Low as Global Fleet Faces Rapid Aging
• ClarkSea Index Sets Fifth Consecutive Record as Daily Vessel Earnings Reach $84,951
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 41/2026 | Phaata
• Ocean Shipping Disruptions and Tariff Uncertainties Drive Incremental Air Freight Demand in Q4
• MSC and ONE to Continue Ipanema Service Under New VSA from April 2027
• COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Expands Asia-Pacific Service Network
• COSCO updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Oct 2026
• Around 12% of Global Containership Capacity Affected by Port Congestion
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 40/2026 | Phaata
• CMA CGM Completes $1.4 Billion Acquisition of FedEx Supply Chain
• Legend Cargo Logistics: Eight Years of Building Expertise and Trust on the Vietnam–North America Trade Lane
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in Oct 2026
• COSCO updates Vietnam-North Europe sailing schedules in Oct 2026
• SITC updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Oct 2026

Source: Phaata.com (According to Container News)

► Find Better Freight Rates & Logistics Service Providers!