Saudi Arabia's trade connectivity has taken a significant step forward with the maiden call of the Morten Maersk at DP World's South Container Terminal in Jeddah, marking the port's formal inclusion in the AE15 Gemini Cooperation service operated jointly by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.
The addition gives Saudi shippers direct access to Qingdao and Ningbo in China, Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia, and the Mediterranean ports of Port Said and Damietta. The Morten Maersk spans approximately 399 metres and carries capacity for more than 19,000 TEUs, placing it among the largest container vessels in global trade.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd restructured the AE15 service in July 2026 to route through the Suez Canal, improving Asia-Europe transit times and prompting Jeddah's subsequent addition to the rotation. DP World is simultaneously investing in the South Container Terminal through new equipment, progressive automation and decarbonisation programmes aimed at expanding long-term capacity and cargo-handling reliability.
Gulf Economist Staff Writer