The “Gemini Cooperation” is a strategic alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd that commenced operations on February 1, 2025. This collaboration aims to optimize operational efficiency on East-West routes through an innovative hub-and-spoke system, aiming to achieve a scheduling reliability of more than 90% once fully implemented. The hub-and-spoke model is a logistics strategy where one main hub distributes goods to multiple final destinations, optimizing routes and reducing operating costs.

The hub-and-spoke model facilitates the use of larger vessels and the optimization of speeds, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The alliance has committed to reducing its absolute emissions by more than one-third by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, setting new standards for sustainability in the shipping industry.

Although the Gemini Cooperation has not announced direct calls at Ecuadorian ports, the implementation of its hub-and-spoke model could influence cargo routes affecting Ecuador. Key ports in the region, such as Cartagena in Colombia, have been designated as strategic hubs in Gemini’s network.

Several changes are expected in the shipping service in Ecuador, although currently no significant modifications have been implemented. According to the conversation, the main objective of the new system called “Gemini Cooperation” is to improve transit reliability, increasing the average reliability of the shipping sector from 55% to 70%.

It is anticipated that some improvements will begin to be felt from the third quarter of the year, although the changes will not be immediate. For the time being, ships are still omitting Ecuador in certain services, which affects the movement of cargo. In addition, it is mentioned that the new system will allow better coordination in transport connections, which should improve customer service and container departures