Shipping Arabia, October 26, 2026 – Hapag-Lloyd has announced a restructuring of its Asia–Europe container shipping network under the Gemini Cooperation, introducing the new Asia–South Europe 5 (SE5) service alongside revisions to five existing services connecting Asia with Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
The Hapag-Lloyd SE5 service forms part of a wider network adjustment scheduled to begin in mid-November 2026. The changes cover six services and include revised port rotations, additional calls and improved connections through major Mediterranean hubs.
The restructuring will affect four existing South Europe services, SE1, SE2, SE3 and SE4, as well as the North Europe Express 1 (NE1) service. Implementation will take place progressively, with each service transitioning according to its published sailing schedule.
Hapag-Lloyd SE5 Service to Connect Asia and the Western Mediterranean
The new Hapag-Lloyd SE5 service will establish direct connections between central and southern China and the western Mediterranean. Its rotation will operate through the Suez Canal, calling at Algeciras in Spain and Tanger Med in Morocco.
The service will also provide onward connections to West Africa through Tanger Med, extending access to additional markets through the Moroccan transshipment hub.
The announced port rotation will begin in Shanghai, followed by Xiamen and Tanjung Pelepas. Vessels will then transit the Suez Canal before calling at Algeciras and Tanger Med. The return leg will include a second call at Algeciras, another Suez Canal transit and Xiamen.
The first scheduled vessel will be Maersk Edirne, operating voyage 647W, with a planned call at Shanghai on November 22, 2026.
The new service adds another connection between Asian export markets and western Mediterranean ports within the Gemini Cooperation network, while incorporating both Algeciras and Tanger Med into its operating rotation.
Four South Europe Services Undergo Port Rotation Changes
Alongside the SE5 launch, Hapag-Lloyd will revise its existing SE1, SE2, SE3 and SE4 services. The adjustments will change port coverage across the Mediterranean, including several calls at Egyptian ports and additional connections through Salalah and Colombo.
Under the revised SE1 rotation, Algeciras will be replaced by calls at East Port Said and West Port Said in Egypt. Colombo will also be added to the eastbound rotation, strengthening connections between the Adriatic region, Sri Lanka and the wider Asian network.
The SE2 service will replace its westbound Tanger Med call with Port Said. Hapag-Lloyd will also introduce a westbound call at Salalah in Oman, while maintaining coverage of Valencia, Barcelona, La Spezia, Genoa and Vado Ligure.
Meanwhile, the SE3 service will operate a simplified Mediterranean rotation through Port Said and Damietta in Egypt. As part of the adjustment, the service will discontinue its eastbound call at Colombo.
Further changes will affect SE4, which will add Nansha in southern China while removing Shanghai from its rotation. The service will also introduce a westbound call at Damietta, complementing its existing call at Port Said.
Together, the revised Mediterranean services will alter connections between Asian export markets and Mediterranean ports, with Port Said and Damietta featuring in several of the updated rotations.
The changes also expand the role of regional connecting ports within the network, with additional calls in Egypt and Oman forming part of the revised service structure.
Rotterdam Becomes First European Call on Revised NE1 Service
Hapag-Lloyd will also restructure its North Europe Express 1 (NE1) service, changing the sequence of port calls between Asia and Northern Europe.
Under the revised arrangement, Rotterdam will become the first European port of call, replacing the previous rotation that included Tanger Med. The Moroccan port will be removed from the NE1 service.
The updated rotation will connect Ningbo, Shanghai and Tanjung Pelepas with Rotterdam, Wilhelmshaven and Bremerhaven. The service will then continue through Salalah and Singapore.
The first vessel affected by the revised NE1 schedule will be Moscow Maersk, operating voyage 646W. The vessel is scheduled to arrive at Ningbo on November 13, 2026, ahead of the wider network transition.
The NE1 adjustment forms part of the same restructuring program affecting the Mediterranean services, with changes to both the European port sequence and the service’s regional calls.
Phased Implementation From Mid-November
Hapag-Lloyd plans to introduce the network revisions progressively from mid-November 2026 rather than implementing all changes simultaneously.
Each affected service will transition according to its announced sailing schedule, beginning with the revised NE1 rotation and followed by the launch of SE5 later in November.
The overall restructuring combines the introduction of a new Asia–western Mediterranean service with modifications to existing connections across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and regional transshipment hubs.
Source: Al Mal