Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd relaunch FM1 service between Asia and the Middle East
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Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have relaunched the FM1 service between Asia and the Middle East, with a rotation that includes the ports of Qingdao, Ningbo, Tanjung Pelepas, Khor Fakkan and Singapore, before returning to Qingdao. The first voyage corresponds to the vessel Maersk Athabasca, on its 642W voyage, with departure from Qingdao scheduled for October 17 and arrival at Khor Fakkan estimated for November 16.
Maersk explained that the relaunch of FM1 gives customers additional direct ocean connectivity to Khor Fakkan, while the company continues to operate with the necessary precautions throughout the Middle East region. Existing booking restrictions and cargo acceptance guidelines remain in effect, and Maersk's inland solutions will complement the service to ensure coverage of the Upper Gulf.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd stated that they will continue to closely monitor the security situation in the Middle East, and that any changes to services within the Gemini Cooperation will remain subject to how the regional context evolves. Both carriers emphasized that the safety of crews, vessels and customers' cargo remains their top priority.
Maersk's expansion in Asia
The relaunch comes amid Maersk's growing push into the intra-Asia market, according to a report by the Chinese outlet Ship News. Bhavan Vempati, head of Maersk's Ocean business in Asia-Pacific, noted that the company sees strong long-term growth potential in the region and plans to deploy additional capacity. According to Alphaliner data cited by that outlet, in September Maersk deployed more than 343,000 TEU in the intra-Asia market, the largest capacity among all carriers, operating 108 vessels with an average size of 3,176 TEU.
Ship News also detailed Maersk's global position according to Alphaliner: the carrier ranks second worldwide by capacity among liner operators, with 750 container ships operated, of which 359 are owned and 391 chartered, totaling 4,728,000 TEU. In addition, the company has 131 vessels on order totaling 1,764,000 TEU.
