On October 19, Maersk issued two announcements to further optimize the Gemini network operated in cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, involving the AE2, AE1, AE19, AE18, ME2 and AE2 services.

Maersk said that, following the previously announced structural adjustments to its Asia-Mediterranean services, it was pleased to further enhance the Gemini network by adding the AE18 service, which, together with the AE19 service, will consolidate the existing West Mediterranean hub coverage.

Specifically, the newly added AE18 service will assume the Tangier and Algeciras coverage previously provided by the AE2, AE12 and AE11 services and will add a call at Xiamen. The port rotation of the new AE18 service is: Shanghai–Xiamen–Tanjung Pelepas–Algeciras–Tangier–Algeciras–Xiamen.

On the AE2 service, Rotterdam will replace Tangier on the westbound leg, providing improved service from Ningbo and Shanghai to Rotterdam.

On the AE11 service, a westbound call at Salalah will be added, and Port Said will replace Tangier, opening new service coverage to and from Salalah.

On the AE19 service, Nansha will replace Shanghai, creating new Asia-Europe coverage and adding Damietta.

In addition, the ME2 service will add a call at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The adjusted port rotation is: Ennore–Colombo–Suez Canal–Algeciras–Rotterdam–London–Hamburg–Tangier–Suez Canal–Jeddah–Colombo.

The adjusted port rotation of the AE12 service is: Ningbo–Shanghai–Tanjung Pelepas–Suez Canal–Port Said East–Koper–Rijeka–Port Said East–Suez Canal–Colombo–Singapore.

According to the latest Alphaliner data, among the world's top 100 liner companies by capacity, Maersk ranks second globally, operating 750 container ships, including 359 owned vessels and 391 chartered vessels, with total capacity reaching 4.728 million TEU. In addition, Maersk holds orders for 138 newbuildings, totaling 1.812 million TEU.