First Gemini Service Arrives at London Gateway, Welcomed by DP World
DP World London Gateway Welcomes First Ship Under Gemini Cooperation
Introduction to Gemini Cooperation
DP World London Gateway, a major player in the shipping and logistics industry, recently marked an important milestone by welcoming its first ship as part of the new Gemini Cooperation agreement. This partnership combines the shipping expertise of two global leaders: Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. The collaboration is aimed at improving efficiency in East-West shipping routes.
Maiden Voyage of the Maersk Stadelhorn
The inaugural vessel making a call at London Gateway under this new agreement is the Maersk Stadelhorn. This ship is on the ME2/IEX India-Europe service, which departs from the UK and will make stops at significant ports, including:
- Hamburg
- Tanger Med
- Colombo
- Kamarajar
- Algeciras
- Rotterdam
Achievements of Gemini Cooperation
Despite being newly launched, the Gemini Cooperation has already demonstrated significant reliability. Within its first month, it achieved a remarkable 90% service reliability rate. Once fully operational, Gemini plans to manage 57 services globally, with a TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity of around 3.7 million. This capacity equates to approximately 12% of the total global container shipping capacity. Both of DP World’s deep-sea cargo ports in the UK, namely Southampton and London Gateway, will benefit from these services.
Statements from Key Executives
Ernst Schulze, who leads DP World Ports & Terminals for Northern Europe, emphasized the importance of this achievement. According to him, the arrival of the Maersk Stadelhorn showcases the Gemini Cooperation’s confidence in DP World’s terminals and their global supply chain solutions. He expressed an ambition to transform London Gateway into the largest container port in the UK over the next five years.
Gary Jeffreys, Managing Director of Maersk UK & Ireland, highlighted the value of this new network, indicating that London Gateway will be instrumental in delivering reliable and flexible services to their clients.
- Cameron Bowie, Managing Director for Hapag-Lloyd UK & Ireland, talked about the impressive growth in trade between the Middle East and India. He reaffirmed Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to this market by investing in vessels that offer better coverage and capacity. Bowie expressed satisfaction that the new Gemini operations will continue to strengthen their partnership with DP World at London Gateway.
Recent Developments at DP World
The arrival of the Maersk Stadelhorn is not the only recent achievement for DP World. Just a month earlier, DP World Southampton received its first ship under the Gemini Cooperation. The MV Leonidio launched on the new Transatlantic AL1/AT3 service, departing for:
- Rotterdam
- Hamburg
- Wilhelmshaven
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Baltimore
- Saint John (in the US and Canada)
Global Network Expansion
DP World is currently enhancing its global network with notable expansions. Recently, they initiated the first container service connecting DP World Mundra in India directly to the East Coast of the United States. Additionally, a long-term partnership with Maersk will improve maritime services at the Port of Santos, which is Brazil’s busiest container port.
Beyond their facilities in Southampton and London Gateway, DP World is diversifying its offerings. They provide logistics, forwarding, and European transportation services, all working in unison with the company’s extensive global network that operates in 78 countries and handles roughly 10% of the global containerized trade. This continuous growth solidifies DP World’s position as a key player in the logistics and shipping industry.
