Feature, Freight News, Logistics, Sea

Gemini tops 90% Reliability in North America

[ April 1, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

A.P. Moller-Maersk said its East-West Network, launched under the Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, has achieved schedule reliability above 90 percent in North America, underscoring efforts by ocean carriers to improve consistency after years of supply chain disruption.

The network, introduced in February 2025, marked a major overhaul of east-west trade lanes. The partnership replaced more complex service strings with a hub-and-shuttle model designed to reduce delays and improve on-time performance.

Since its full rollout, the network has exceeded 90 percent schedule reliability, according to data from Sea-Intelligence, well above industry averages in recent years.

Both Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have said the improvement reflects structural changes including shorter vessel rotations, fewer port calls and greater reliance on shuttle services linking major hubs with inland destinations. The model is intended to make shipping networks more resilient to disruptions such as port congestion and adverse weather.

“It’s been over a year since the launch of the East-West Network, and in North America we’re seeing the impact of a more reliable and predictable ocean product,” said Michael Britton, head of North America at A.P. Moller-Maersk.

Hapag-Lloyd has similarly said the Gemini network is designed to deliver schedule reliability of about 90 percent, with a simplified service structure aimed at improving punctuality and reducing cascading delays across global trades.

The gains are also being felt at U.S. port facilities, including APM Terminals operations in Los Angeles, where more predictable vessel arrivals are helping operators better manage yard capacity, labor deployment and truck flows.

“For terminals, vessel timing is the foundation of operational efficiency,” said Jon Poelma, managing director of APM Terminals Pier 400 in Los Angeles. More consistent arrivals allow for improved berth planning and faster truck turn times, reducing congestion and improving throughput, he said.

Maersk said improved schedule reliability is extending beyond ports, enabling shippers to reduce buffer inventory, shorten lead times and better coordinate trucking and warehousing.

The Gemini Cooperation reflects a broader strategic shift by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd toward prioritizing reliability over network size and vessel utilization. Earlier alliance models emphasized scale, often at the expense of schedule consistency.

Both companies have said the approach is aimed at restoring customer confidence following pandemic-era disruptions that exposed vulnerabilities in global liner networks.

Both Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have recently reported results, with Maersk releasing fourth-quarter earnings in February and Hapag-Lloyd reporting full-year figures, underscoring continued pressure on freight rates despite steady volumes (see related story).

Maersk said the next phase will focus on further improving predictability across both ocean and landside operations.

Tags: A.P. Moller-Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd