Jeddah Islamic Port has been designated as a main hub for the AE15 and AE19 services of the Gemini Cooperation, a coalition consisting of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) reported that the move coincides with updated routes for these services to transit through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal, strengthening direct maritime links between Saudi Arabia and major markets in Asia and Europe.
The AE19 service will stop at Jeddah Islamic Port twice during its operational cycle: once while traveling from Asia to the Mediterranean and again on the return journey south. The AE15 service connects the port to Qingdao and Ningbo in China, Gwangyang in Korea, Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia, and via the Suez Canal to Port Said and Damietta in Egypt, Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Singapore.
The AE19 service links the port to Shanghai, Qingdao, and Ningbo in China, Busan in Korea, Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia, and via the Suez Canal to Port Said in Egypt, Tangier in Morocco, and Singapore.
These updates reduce the full operational cycle by approximately two weeks, moving from 16 weeks to 14 weeks, while maintaining weekly voyage schedules.