Hapag-Lloyd has announced a series of changes to its Far East–Europe network under the Gemini Cooperation, including the introduction of a new Asia South Europe 5 (SE5) service.
The adjustments will begin in November 2026 and affect six services connecting Asia with Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
The changes include revised port rotations, additional calls and improved connections through key Mediterranean hubs.
New SE5 service connects Asia with Western Mediterranean
The new SE5 service will provide direct connections from Central and South China to the Western Mediterranean, serving Algeciras in Spain and Tangier Med in Morocco.
The service will also offer onward connections to West Africa through Tangier.
Its port rotation will be:
Shanghai – Xiamen – Tanjung Pelepas – Suez Canal – Algeciras – Tangier Med – Algeciras – Suez Canal – Xiamen
The first vessel will be Maersk Edirne, voyage 647W, scheduled to call at Shanghai on November 22, 2026.
Mediterranean services undergo further changes
Hapag-Lloyd will also revise its SE1, SE2, SE3 and SE4 services.
The SE1 service will replace its Algeciras call with westbound and eastbound calls at Port Said. Colombo will also be added to the eastbound rotation, strengthening connections between the Adriatic, Sri Lanka and the wider Asian network.
The SE2 service will replace its westbound Tangier call with Port Said and introduce a new westbound call at Salalah. It will continue serving Valencia, Barcelona, La Spezia, Genoa and Vado Ligure.
Meanwhile, SE3 will operate a simplified Mediterranean rotation through Port Said and Damietta. Its eastbound Colombo call will be discontinued.
The SE4 service will add Nansha in South China and remove Shanghai from its rotation. It will also introduce a westbound call at Damietta, alongside its existing Port Said connection.
These changes will strengthen links between Asian export markets and Mediterranean ports while expanding connections through regional hubs.
Rotterdam becomes first European call on NE1
Hapag-Lloyd will also revise its North Europe Express 1 (NE1) service.
Under the new rotation, Rotterdam will become the first European port of call, while Tangier will be removed.
The revised service will operate through Ningbo, Shanghai, Tanjung Pelepas, Rotterdam, Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Salalah and Singapore.
The first affected vessel will be Moscow Maersk, voyage 646W, scheduled to call at Ningbo on November 13, 2026.
The network adjustments will be introduced progressively from mid-November, with individual services transitioning according to their announced vessel schedules.
