On 14 September 2026, Maersk published a structural network notice for the Gemini Cooperation: services AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 will transit via the Suez Canal instead of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. The four join AE15 and AE19, which Maersk states already use the Suez routing. Maersk frames the change as delivering more efficient transit times between Asia and Europe, while stressing that crew, vessel and cargo safety remain the priority.
Published rotations: AE5 (Asia–Northern Europe) Qingdao–Ningbo–Tanjung Pelepas–Suez–London–Bremerhaven–Hamburg–Rotterdam–Algeciras–Suez–Tanjung Pelepas; AE11 (Asia–Mediterranean) Shanghai–Yantian–Tanjung Pelepas–Suez–Port Tangier–Valencia–Barcelona–La Spezia–Genoa–Vado Ligure–Suez–Singapore; AE12 (Asia–Mediterranean) Ningbo–Shanghai–Tanjung Pelepas–Suez–Algeciras–Koper–Rijeka–Algeciras–Suez–Singapore; ME2 (India–Europe) Ennore–Colombo–Suez–Algeciras–Rotterdam–London–Hamburg–Port Tangier–Suez–Colombo.
Westbound first sailings named in the advisory: AE11 Antonia Maersk 635W (last call Tanjung Pelepas, ETD 19 September); AE5 Marchen Maersk 635W (Tanjung Pelepas, ETD 21 September); ME2 Cornelia Maersk 638W (Colombo, ETD 24 September). Eastbound first sailings include AE5 Maastricht Maersk 637E (Algeciras, ETD 22 September), AE11 Maersk Halifax 637E (Vado Ligure, ETD 28 September) and ME2 Cornelia Maersk 643E (Port Tangier, ETD 31 October). Maersk says AE12’s first sailing will be communicated later, and that any further alteration remains dependent on Red Sea stability and the absence of escalation.