Suez Canal Marks Return Of Gemini’s ME-11 Service With ASTRID MAERSK Transit

The Suez Canal has witnessed the transit of the container vessel ASTRID MAERSK on its first voyage through the waterway, marking the first passage of Gemini Cooperation’s ME-11 service via the Canal since the alliance rerouted the service from the Cape of Good Hope.

The vessel transited northbound after calling at the container terminal at East Port Said, where it handled containers and bunkered environmentally friendly methanol before continuing its voyage to Oman.

The ME-11 service operates on the India/Middle East–Mediterranean trade route and forms part of Gemini Cooperation, the alliance between Maersk Line and Hapag-Lloyd.

The service has been rerouted through the Suez Canal in both directions from mid-February, replacing the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope.

ASTRID MAERSK, owned by Maersk, measures 350 metres in length, with a beam of 54 metres and a draft of 14.8 metres.

With a gross tonnage of 185,000 tonnes, it is the largest container ship affiliated with the Maersk shipping line to transit the Canal in the past two years.

The vessel is the third Maersk ship to pass through the Suez Canal since the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and the Danish group.

MAERSK SEBAROK transited in December, followed by MAERSK DENVER in January.

As part of the Canal’s usual procedure for first-time transits, SCA Chairman and Managing Director Adm. Ossama Rabiee assigned First Chief Pilots Captain Saeed Imam and Captain Ahmed Nossier to board the vessel, welcome the crew and present a commemorative gift to the ship’s master.

Adm. Rabiee said that rerouting the first Gemini Cooperation service shows a return to the shortest and most sustainable trade route between East and West. He added that it shows major shipping lines’ commitment to using the Canal again.

He further stated that the Authority has begun to see early results from efforts aimed at restoring traffic from leading carriers.

These measures include sustained direct engagement with clients and the implementation of flexible marketing policies intended to gradually increase navigation rates.

According to the Authority, incentive schemes introduced during 2025 have attracted 784 vessels, with a combined net tonnage of 36.6 million tonnes, generating revenues of $170.4 million.

ASTRID MAERSK benefited from Navigational Circular No. (3/2025), which grants a 15 per cent reduction in transit tolls for container ships exceeding 130,000 tonnes net tonnage, whether laden or in ballast.

Since last May, the circular has attracted 64 vessels with a total net tonnage of 9.9 million tonnes. On Tuesday, 36 vessels transited the Canal, with a total gross tonnage of around 2 million tonnes.

Reference: suezcanal

Source: Maritime Shipping News