Announced on October 19, 2026, the network adjustments follow the carrier’s decision to reroute its Asia–Mediterranean services through the Suez Canal. The new configuration is designed to consolidate hub coverage and improve connections to West Africa and the east coast of Latin America.    The new AE18 service will complement the existing AE19 service and consolidate coverage previously provided by the AE2, AE12 and AE11 services at Tangier and Algeciras. It will also introduce a call at Xiamen, China.    The planned AE18 rotation is Shanghai–Xiamen–Tanjung Pelepas–Algeciras–Tangier–Algeciras–Xiamen. The first sailing is scheduled to depart Shanghai on November 22, 2026, with Maersk Edirne operating voyage 647W.    The wider reshuffle includes several additional changes:    AE2: The westbound Tangier call will be replaced by Rotterdam, improving connections from Ningbo and Shanghai to the Dutch port.    AE11: Salalah will be added westbound, while Tangier will be replaced by Port Said.    AE19: Shanghai will be replaced by Nansha, and Damietta will be added to the rotation.    The adjustments form part of Maersk’s broader effort to optimise its Gemini network as services return to the Suez Canal route. The revised structure is intended to improve hub connectivity and provide more flexible routing options for customers moving cargo between Asian manufacturing centres and European markets.    For shippers and freight forwarders, the changes will require a review of service schedules, transshipment arrangements and port connections. Maersk has noted that schedules remain subject to change.   

The new AE18 service and associated route revisions mark another step in the development of the Gemini network, with the aim of strengthening regional connections and improving the integration of global container shipping services.