APM Terminals wins concession extension for ACT in Jordan
NewsAPM Terminals has secured a 15-year concession extension for its Aqaba terminal in Jordan.
Gemini Cooperation takes effect
Alliance shakeup moves forward with green light for Gemini Cooperation from FMC.
The Gemini Cooperation Agreement between liner majors A.P. Moller – Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd took effect on September 9, 2024, following an extensive review process by the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The agreement, initially filed with the FMC on May 31, 2024, was scrutinised under statutory timeframes to assess its potential competitive impacts and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
The FMC is empowered to evaluate whether such agreements might reduce competition to an extent that would result in an unreasonable increase in transportation costs or a decrease in service quality. Should the Commission identify such risks, it has the authority to seek an injunction through federal district court proceedings. However, the commission said it has not found grounds to seek an injunction against the Gemini Cooperation Agreement.
Despite this, the vessel sharing deal will be subject to rigorous and ongoing monitoring by the FMC.
“Parties participating in alliance agreements must agree to monitoring conditions and requirements. Carrier alliance agreements are subject to enhanced examination and continuous oversight. Monitoring of the Gemini Cooperation Agreement will commence today,” the FMC said on Monday.
The Gemini Cooperation Agreement allows Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, including Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC, to share vessels across key trades connecting the United States with Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The agreement’s approval followed a Request for Additional Information (RFAI) issued by the FMC on July 12, 2024, requiring the parties to submit data necessary for a comprehensive economic analysis.
The RFAI is seen as a standard procedure by the FMC and was not considered by Maersk or Hapag-Lloyd to impact the planned start date of the services, which is February 2025. The same date is set to mark the beginning of another alliance between the former members of THE Alliance, which Hapag-Lloyd left to join forces with Maersk. The new (old) alliance, named Premier Alliance, includes HMM, ONE, and Yang Ming, who have strengthened ties with Maersk’s former 2M partner, MSC, in the Asia-Europe trade.
Ane Maersk arriving at Tangier
Two ocean network options
Today Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd shared an update announcing two ocean network options. Additionally, the companies are also presenting an alternative Cape of Good Hope network due to the ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea.
| FACTS ABOUT THE TWO NETWORKS | |
| Trans-Suez Network | Cape of Good Hope Network |
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“Reliability, connectivity and sustainability are the keywords in the networks we are presenting today, and we are pleased that we now can give our customers full transparency about how we will deliver a best-in-class ocean network so they can begin planning despite a highly dynamic situation,” says Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd.
In October 2024, the Gemini Cooperation will announce which network it expects to put to sea in February 2025.
“We are looking forward to the launch of our completely redesigned network next year, and we are happy to reconfirm that our schedule reliability target remains unchanged irrespective of which network we will phase in. We believe our collaboration will raise the bar for reliability to the benefit of our customers and set a new and very high standard in the industry,” says Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk.
Depending on which network the cooperation will phase in, the new network consists of either 27 or 29 ocean mainliner services supported by an extensive network of 30 intraregional shuttle services. The duo said that the collaboration will comprise either 300 or 340 vessels.
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