Salalah

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

Shipping Arabia, October 25, 2026 – Maersk has announced a major expansion of its Gemini Cooperation network with Hapag-Lloyd, introducing the new AE18 service and revising five existing services across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The changes follow the previously announced rerouting of Asia-Mediterranean services through the Suez Canal.

The Maersk Gemini network expansion will reshape connections serving Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Sri Lanka and the Adriatic. The adjustments cover six services: AE18, AE2, AE11, AE19, ME2 and AE12, with implementation scheduled between November 2026 and January 2027.

The revised network will strengthen coverage at major Mediterranean hubs, introduce new port connections and reorganize existing services. It will also support additional shipping connections from Asia to West Africa and the east coast of Latin America.

Maersk Launches AE18 to Strengthen Western Mediterranean Coverage

The new AE18 service will operate alongside AE19, consolidating Gemini’s existing Western Mediterranean hub coverage. It will replace connections to Tangier and Algeciras previously provided by AE2, AE11 and AE12, while introducing a direct connection from Xiamen, China.

The service will connect Shanghai and Xiamen with Tanjung Pelepas, Algeciras and Tangier before returning through Algeciras and Xiamen.

The full AE18 rotation will be:

Shanghai – Xiamen – Tanjung Pelepas – Algeciras – Tangier – Algeciras – Xiamen.

Maersk Edirne, operating voyage 647W, will inaugurate the new service with a scheduled departure from Shanghai on November 22, 2026.

The introduction of AE18 forms a central part of the network restructuring, allowing Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to reorganize their existing Mediterranean coverage while maintaining connections through the Gemini network.

AE2, AE11 and AE19 Introduce New Port Connections

Alongside the introduction of AE18, Maersk will revise three established Asia-Europe services, with the first changes taking effect in mid-November.

AE2: Additional Rotterdam Connection

The AE2 service will replace its westbound Tangier call with Rotterdam, providing an additional connection from Ningbo and Shanghai to the Dutch port.

Moscow Maersk, operating voyage 646W, will be the first vessel affected by the revised rotation. Its departure from Ningbo is scheduled for November 15, 2026.

AE11: Salalah and Port Said Added to Westbound Coverage

The AE11 service will introduce a westbound call at Salalah, Oman, while replacing its westbound Tangier call with Port Said, Egypt.

The changes will establish additional shipping connections to and from Salalah while strengthening the service’s coverage through Port Said.

Estelle Maersk, voyage 647W, will operate the first affected sailing, departing Shanghai on November 17, 2026.

AE19: Nansha Replaces Shanghai as Damietta Joins the Rotation

The AE19 service will replace its Shanghai call with Nansha, introducing new coverage between the Chinese port and Europe.

In addition, Maersk will add Damietta, Egypt, to the service rotation, expanding the network’s Eastern Mediterranean connections.

The revised arrangements will begin with Ane Maersk, voyage 647W, scheduled to depart Xingang on November 18, 2026.

Together, these adjustments will redistribute existing port coverage across the Gemini network while introducing alternative connections through Rotterdam, Salalah, Port Said and Damietta.

ME2 Adds Jeddah to Connect Northern Europe With Saudi Arabia

Another significant element of the Maersk Gemini network expansion is the addition of Jeddah Islamic Port to the eastbound rotation of the ME2 service.

The change will establish a direct shipping connection between Northern Europe and Saudi Arabia, serving cargo moving from Rotterdam, London Gateway and Hamburg to Jeddah.

The revised ME2 rotation will be:

Ennore – Colombo – Suez Canal – Algeciras – Rotterdam – London Gateway – Hamburg – Tangier – Suez Canal – Jeddah – Colombo.

Maersk Tukang, operating voyage 649E, will be the first vessel affected by the revised service. Its scheduled arrival at Jeddah is December 20, 2026.

The inclusion of Jeddah expands the service’s eastbound coverage and provides an additional direct connection to Saudi Arabia from three major Northern European ports.

AE12 Restores Colombo Connection to Adriatic Ports Through East Port Said

Maersk will also transfer its Colombo call from AE15 to AE12, establishing a shipping connection between Sri Lanka and the Adriatic ports of Koper and Rijeka.

The revised AE12 service will operate through the Suez Canal and East Port Said, connecting Asian origins with the Adriatic before continuing eastbound toward Colombo and Singapore.

The full revised AE12 rotation will be:

Ningbo – Shanghai – Tanjung Pelepas – Suez Canal – Port Said East – Koper – Rijeka – Port Said East – Suez Canal – Colombo – Singapore.

Alva Maersk, voyage 652E, will be the first vessel to operate the revised rotation. The ship is expected to arrive at Colombo on January 12, 2027.

The transfer of Colombo to AE12 will create a connection between Sri Lanka and the Adriatic while providing onward shipping options from Colombo to destinations in southern India and Bangladesh.

The revised rotation will also reinforce the role of East Port Said in connecting Asian cargo flows with Mediterranean and Adriatic destinations through the Suez Canal.

Phased Implementation Across the Gemini Network

The network changes will take effect through a series of scheduled vessel departures and arrivals.

The first adjustments will begin with AE2 on November 15, followed by AE11 on November 17 and AE19 on November 18. The new AE18 service will launch on November 22, completing the initial phase of the Western Mediterranean network restructuring.

The changes will then extend to ME2, with the first affected Jeddah arrival scheduled for December 20, 2026. Finally, the revised AE12 rotation will take effect with the first affected Colombo arrival on January 12, 2027.

The wider network configuration will also support connections from Asia to West Africa and the east coast of Latin America.

Together, the six service adjustments represent a substantial reorganization of Gemini’s Asia-Europe and Middle East network following the rerouting of Asia-Mediterranean services through the Suez Canal.

Source: Al Mal News

Shipping Arabia, October 6, 2026 – Container transport and related logistics costs serving the UAE and Gulf markets have risen by around three to five times, or 300% to 500%, following disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UAE’s National Shipping and Logistics Committee. The committee stressed that the increase does not reflect a similar rise in basic ocean freight rates alone, but rather the accumulation of additional costs across disrupted transport chains.

Ahmed Abdul Razak, deputy chairman of the National Shipping and Logistics Committee and general manager of Maltrans Emirates, said it remains difficult to establish a uniform container transport rate after the problems affecting the Strait of Hormuz. Costs vary depending on the shipping line, port, routing and the way cargo ultimately reaches its destination.

Alternative routings reshape Gulf cargo flows

Disruption to maritime corridors has forced some cargo bound for Gulf markets onto alternative routings. While some containers continue to arrive directly at their intended ports, others are being discharged at intermediate ports before completing their journeys by sea or road.

Abdul Razak said cargo has reached ports including Khor Fakkan and Fujairah in the UAE, as well as Sohar and Salalah in Oman. Some of these containers were then transported overland to UAE ports and destinations, including Jebel Ali.

He said the UAE’s logistics infrastructure and its developed network of ports and roads have helped the country manage the disruption and redirect cargo arriving through different gateways.

Shipping lines have also activated provisions allowing cargo to be discharged at the nearest available port when problems affect normal maritime routes. As a result, some vessels have discharged containers in Oman before the cargo subsequently moved through Fujairah or Khor Fakkan and onward to its final destination.

Additional charges drive 300–500% cost increase

According to Abdul Razak, the overall cost of container transport has increased by between three and five times during the recent period. However, he emphasized that this does not mean basic ocean freight itself has risen by the same percentage.

Instead, the final cost reflects the accumulation of multiple charges associated with longer or more complex transport arrangements. These include war risk surcharges, conflict-related emergency charges and emergency fuel surcharges, which vary from one carrier to another.

Inland transport costs have also risen significantly. Additional customs clearance charges and higher fuel expenses have further increased the total cost of moving containers when cargo must be redirected through alternative ports or transferred between sea and road transport.

Longer routings and transshipment operations have also contributed to higher fuel consumption, adding further cost to the container transport chain.

Gulf shipping capacity remains tight

The increase in UAE container transport costs is also linked to reduced shipping capacity available for Gulf-bound cargo.

Abdul Razak said the challenge is not limited to price levels but also involves the availability of space aboard vessels. Some sailings have reached full capacity, while other voyages have been canceled.

He added that cargo bookings being rolled to later sailings have become common on some services, further complicating transport planning.

Costs also differ between Gulf ports because of variations in routing, port choice and the method used to complete container movements. As a result, the final cost can vary considerably from one shipment to another.

Abdul Razak said shipping costs have not yet declined and remain at peak levels. He added that a return of maritime routes to normal conditions would help reduce both shipping costs and associated logistics expenses, particularly those generated by alternative routing and additional charges.

UAE infrastructure supports cargo continuity

Despite the disruption, Abdul Razak said essential goods remain available in the UAE.

He said authorities have prioritized customs clearance for essential materials, helping maintain their availability in the domestic market.

The disruption has also not forced all cargo onto a single alternative corridor. Instead, shipping companies and carriers have used multiple options, including different Gulf ports, short-sea transport and road transport.

According to Abdul Razak, the UAE’s logistics infrastructure, together with its road and port network, has supported the movement of containers arriving through different ports and allowed them to continue to their final destinations.

Source: Emarat Al Youm

Shipping Arabia, September 27, 2026 – Maersk has added Salalah in Oman to the rotation of its AE15 service connecting Asia and Europe, extending the service’s Middle East coverage and providing an additional connection between the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

The AE15 service forms part of Maersk’s east-west network and the Gemini Cooperation. Under the revised schedule, Salalah joins a rotation that includes major ports across Asia, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

Revised AE15 rotation includes Salalah

Maersk said the updated AE15 port rotation will operate as follows: Qingdao – Gwangyang – Ningbo – Tanjung Pelepas – Jeddah – Suez Canal – Port Said – Damietta – Suez Canal – Salalah – Colombo – Singapore – Qingdao.

The revised routing places Salalah after the service’s second Suez Canal transit and before Colombo on the eastbound leg toward Asia.

The addition gives customers another shipping option linking the Mediterranean and Middle East with markets across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Maersk.

Morten Maersk designated for first eastbound call

Morten Maersk, operating voyage 638E, was designated as the first eastbound vessel to include the new Salalah call under the revised rotation.

According to the schedule announced by Maersk, the vessel was due to depart Damietta, Egypt, on September 18, 2026, before arriving at Salalah on September 24.

The addition of Salalah expands the number of Middle Eastern calls on AE15, with the revised rotation also including Jeddah before the service passes through the Suez Canal and continues to Port Said and Damietta.

Source: Al Mal News

Shipping Arabia, September 26, 2026 – Maersk has introduced emergency freight surcharges on container shipments affected by disruptions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, with total additional costs potentially reaching $4,800 per container depending on cargo type and whether the shipment moves aboard a vessel transiting the strait.

The measures cover shipments loaded from or destined for ports in Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. They also apply to Dammam and Jubail in Saudi Arabia and ports in Oman, excluding Salalah.

Maersk has set the emergency surcharge at $1,800 for a 20-foot dry container and $3,000 for a 40-foot dry container. Refrigerated containers, as well as equipment carrying special or dangerous cargo, will face a higher charge of $3,800 per container.

Additional Charge Applies to Hormuz Transits

Cargo moving aboard vessels that transit the Strait of Hormuz will be subject to an additional $1,000 per container. According to Maersk, the charge is intended to cover higher insurance premiums and crew risk compensation associated with operating through the affected area.

When combined with the $3,800 emergency surcharge for refrigerated, special or dangerous cargo, the additional Hormuz transit charge can bring total extra costs to $4,800 per container.

Maersk said the emergency freight surcharges also cover a wider range of expenses created by the disruption. These include alternative routings, storage costs, additional transportation and the movement of cargo from temporary storage locations to final destinations once onward transport can be carried out safely.

Alternative Routes Used for Upper Gulf Cargo

The carrier is also using alternative routings for shipments serving several Upper Gulf markets. Cargo moving to or from Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE is being routed through Salalah and Khor Fakkan.

Saudi Arabian import and export cargo will continue to move through Jeddah. The alternative arrangements form part of Maersk’s response to the disruption affecting normal cargo movements in the region.

The emergency measures therefore combine additional charges with changes to cargo routing as the carrier manages shipments serving markets around the Strait of Hormuz.

Booking Restrictions Remain in Place

Maersk has also maintained booking restrictions across parts of the affected region. The carrier is applying tighter limitations to refrigerated cargo, dangerous goods, out-of-gauge shipments and other specialized cargo.

At the same time, Maersk said particular attention will be given to essential food supplies, medicines and other perishable goods. These cargo types remain a priority as the carrier manages capacity and operational restrictions linked to the disruption.

The emergency surcharges, alternative routings and booking restrictions remain part of Maersk’s measures for handling cargo flows affected by conditions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: Al-Mal