Gemini shifts four services - AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 - to Suez routings

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are restructuring four Gemini services - AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2; under the new routing, AE11 calls at Tanjung Pelepas before transiting the Suez Canal.

Key takeaways:

• According to the schedule published by Maersk on 14 September 2026, the first westbound AE11 sailing was scheduled to depart Tanjung Pelepas on 19 September 2026; the first westbound ME2 sailing was scheduled to depart Colombo on 24 September 2026.
• Under the new routing, AE5 links Asia with Northern Europe and AE11 links Asia with the Mediterranean; both are scheduled to call at Tanjung Pelepas before entering the Suez Canal.
• The four services - AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 - form part of one restructuring exercise across the Gemini network.

Four services transition on individual sailing schedules

The restructuring expands the group of Gemini services using the Suez Canal instead of routing around the Cape of Good Hope. According to Maersk, these four services join AE15 and AE19, two Gemini services that have already used this routing. Maersk says the routing change is intended to improve transit-time efficiency. The advisory does not quantify how many days transit times would be shortened.

The transition spans several weeks and does not take effect on a single day. Maersk's schedule dated 14 September 2026 identifies the first westbound AE11 sailing under the new routing as Antonia Maersk, voyage 635W, with a scheduled departure from Tanjung Pelepas on 19 September 2026; westbound ME2 begins with Cornelia Maersk, voyage 638W, with a scheduled departure from Colombo on 24 September 2026. For AE12 only, the carrier said the first sailing under the new routing will be announced later.

During the transition, sailings within the same service may follow two different routings, with arrival times that are not uniform.

Asia–Europe Red Sea routing recovery remains weighted toward the backhaul

Recovery along this corridor is not yet balanced between its two shipping directions. Sea-Intelligence analysis shows that the share of Asia–Europe container shipping capacity routed through the Suez Canal on the backhaul increased from 18–26% in August 2026 to 25–47% in September 2026. On the headhaul from Asia to Europe, Red Sea routing recovery was approximately 13–25% in September 2026. Averaged across both directions in September 2026, Asia–Europe routing recovery reached 27%.

These percentages measure the share of Asia–Europe container shipping capacity routed through the Red Sea corridor during the August 2026 and September 2026 measurement periods; they do not identify the routing of any specific shipment.

Red Sea security conditions remain a constraint on the decision

The routing decision is linked to Red Sea security conditions. Maersk states that all service changes within the Gemini Cooperation remain “dependent on the ongoing stability in the Red Sea area.”

If security risks along the corridor persist, they may be reflected in costs through carrier risk surcharges or insurance premiums.

Milestones to monitor

• 24 September 2026: the scheduled departure from Colombo of the first westbound ME2 sailing under the new routing, based on the Maersk schedule published on 14 September 2026.
• Maersk's next announcement on the first sailing under the new routing for the AE12 service.

Frequently asked questions

Which trade lanes do the two rerouted services AE5 and AE11 cover?

Maersk's advisory states that AE5 links Asia with Northern Europe, while AE11 links Asia with the Mediterranean; the new routings for both services call at Tanjung Pelepas before entering the Suez Canal.

Does the new AE11 routing call at Tanjung Pelepas?

Yes. Maersk's advisory states that the new AE11 routing calls at Tanjung Pelepas before entering the Suez Canal; the carrier's schedule dated 14 September 2026 lists 19 September 2026 as the scheduled departure date from the port for the first westbound sailing.

What does the 27% Red Sea routing recovery figure measure?

Sea-Intelligence defines it as the share of Asia–Europe container shipping capacity routed through the Red Sea corridor, averaged across both directions in September 2026.

See more:

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• COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Begins A-Share Listing Process in Shanghai
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in Sep 2026

Source: Phaata.com 

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Reference source: Maersk, Sea-Intelligence