Maersk has expanded its AE15 Gemini service by adding a port call at Jeddah, strengthening connectivity between the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The network enhancement is aimed at improving service flexibility, reducing transit times for selected cargo flows, and providing customers with greater access to one of the Red Sea’s busiest maritime gateways.
The inclusion of Jeddah enables Maersk to offer more direct shipping options for importers and exporters serving Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. The additional port call is expected to support growing trade volumes by improving access to key manufacturing centres, consumer markets, and regional distribution hubs.
Jeddah Islamic Port plays a vital role in Saudi Arabia’s maritime trade, handling a substantial share of the Kingdom’s container traffic. Its strategic location on the Red Sea makes it an important transshipment hub linking Asia-Europe trade lanes with regional services across the Middle East and East Africa.
The AE15 Gemini service forms part of Maersk’s broader strategy to optimise its global liner network in response to evolving customer demand and changing market conditions. By refining port rotations and expanding regional coverage, the company aims to enhance schedule reliability, improve cargo flow, and provide more resilient supply chain solutions.
The revised service is also expected to benefit sectors including retail, automotive, chemicals, industrial manufacturing, and consumer goods, which rely on efficient container shipping between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Customers will gain greater routing flexibility and improved access to Saudi Arabia’s expanding logistics and distribution infrastructure.
The addition of Jeddah reflects continued investment in strengthening regional shipping connectivity despite ongoing geopolitical challenges affecting Red Sea trade. As carriers adapt their service networks to changing operational conditions, strategic port calls such as Jeddah are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting reliable cargo movement across global supply chains.
