Gemini Cooperation start pushed back by FMC

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has halted the operational alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd AG – known as the Gemini Cooperation – to determine the potential competitive impacts of the arrangements. 

The Gemini agreement would allow the two companies to share vessels in the trades between the US and Asia, the Middle East and Europe, and was due to go into effect next week however the FMC has requested more information on the arrangement. 

FMC uses the RFAI process to identify and achieve clarity on matters that were not addressed by the filing parties, or where insufficient information was provided in the agreement originally filed on May 24.