In 2025 Maersk will suspend its direct connections from Asia to Gdansk

Starting next year, the Danish shipping giant Maersk will suspend its direct connections from Asia to the port of Gdańsk. This decision is a result of Maersk’s new strategic alliance with the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, known as the Gemini Cooperation. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will combine their fleets, with Maersk contributing approximately 60% of the 290 vessels under this alliance.

Changes in Shipping Routes

The strategic move is designed to improve shipping operations and will result in significant changes to the connection network. Maersk’s Asia routes currently include 11-13 ports in Northern Europe. However, as part of the Gemini Alliance, this number will be reduced to 5 ports, with Gdansk being one of the affected ports. Deliveries from Asia will be rerouted through German ports, specifically Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, and Hamburg, before being transported to Gdansk via smaller vessels. Some of the cargo will also be transported to Poland by road, so the overall container throughput in Gdansk may be affected.

There is no denying that this is a blow to Gdańsk, which has been consistently expanding its transshipment capacity for several years and climbing the ranking of Baltic ports. Gdansk is the the largest container port on the Baltic Sea handling 2 million TEU containers on annual basis.

Broader Implications and Industry Dynamics

Despite Maersk’s strategic shift, Gdańsk will still receive direct shipments from other major shipping lines. The world’s largest shipowner MSC, the third-ranked French shipowner CMA CGM, and the Chinese operator COSCO will continue their direct routes from Asia to Gdańsk.

Source: Trans.info & Transport-manager.pl