German container carrier Hapag-Lloyd is set to leave THE Alliance in January 2025 and join a new alliance with Maersk Line, called the Gemini Cooperation to be launched in February next year.

As the Panama Canal’s climate and water woes continue Maersk is switching to use a land bridge for an Oceania – Americas service which will be split in two.

Maersk Tankers closed on the acquisition of US-based tanker pool operator Penfield Marine last week, expanding its crude and product tanker reach.

The attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have sharply driven up rates as vessels divert by the Cape of Good Hope attracting the interest of stock investors in listed container lines, although the situation remains extremely fluid.

Houthi rebel leader Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi has ordered his forces not to fire on vessels transiting the Red Sea which declare they have no connection to Israel.

Maersk, the City of Yokohama, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of green methanol bunkering infrastructure at the Port of Yokohama, Japan.

The hostilities in the Red Sea will likely be igniting other battles, albeit of a commercial rather than military nature, as container lines seek hefty rate increases and file urgent requests with US regulators.

Anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into the Red Sea on January 2, demonstrating the continued threat to merchant shipping despite an international naval presence.

As the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) became enforceable from 1 January conflict in the Red Sea has seen many vessels divert to the much longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, both impacting container freight rates.

Maersk announced it will extend a 48 hour pause to transits through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until further notice following the attack on one of its ships over the weekend.