Maersk announced a significant change in the container shipping industry by revealing plans to transition its large containerships from the UK’s Port of Felixstowe to the London Gateway starting in February 2025. This decision, made in partnership with Hapag-Lloyd, deals a competitive blow to Hutchinson Ports, the operator of Felixstowe. The move is part of the new Gemini Cooperation’s launch, aiming to achieve an industry schedule reliability of 90 percent. Maersk emphasized the goal of reducing network complexity and enhancing reliability, reach, and speed for customers through this strategic shift.
The decision to move port calls to London Gateway will impact the Asia-Europe trade, consolidating it with the Middle East-Europe trade at the new port. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are establishing the cooperation under the tagline of “The Network of the Future.” The switch from Felixstowe to London Gateway is part of the phasing out of the current 2M alliance with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. Felixstowe, one of the UK’s oldest ports, will no longer be part of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s shared Gemini network.
London Gateway, a relatively new port opened in November 2013, is operated by DP World. The decision to transfer port calls to London Gateway is a significant win for DP World, which announced a £1 billion investment in expanding the facility to increase capacity and enhance the UK’s international trade resilience. The investment includes building two additional berths and a second rail terminal, with the goal of making London Gateway the largest port in the UK, accounting for 55 percent of the country’s cargo flow through the southeast region.
More Stories
India’s Key Maritime Bills to Transform Shipping and Coastal Trade
Germany’s Mosel River Closed for Lock Repairs
RMT Supports Employment Rights Bill Amendments to Protect Seafarers