THE first Gemini Cooperation vessel, the 11,000-TEU Maersk Antares has left Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT) in Ba R?a-Vung Tau Province and was bound for the US west coast, reports the Vietnam News Service.

Arriving at CMIT on February 6, the vessel is part of the alliance's plan to operate two mainline vessels and one feeder vessel at the terminal. This marks the launch of Gemini Cooperation's TP6/WC1 service route, achieving an impressive berth productivity of 172 containers per hour.

Gemini Cooperation, a partnership between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, plans to achieve more than 90 per cent schedule reliability once the entire network is fully operational.

This requires ports to maintain high-speed cargo handling, enabling vessels to adhere to precise schedules. The alliance aims to establish a long-term shipping partnership, providing a highly reliable and flexible maritime network.

In Viet Nam, CMIT has been selected as the exclusive main port for the Gemini Cooperation. With 14 years of operational experience, CMIT has remained a trusted choice for Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.

The terminal is set to handle two mainline vessels and one feeder vessel weekly under the new alliance. Key factors such as high, stable, and safe cargo-handling productivity have reinforced CMIT's credibility among its global partners.

With support from APM Terminals, VIMC, and Saigon Port, CMIT has recently invested in and received its seventh quay crane, enhancing its operational capacity and improving loading and unloading productivity to meet the growing demands of customers.

The Gemini Cooperation will operate 290 vessels with a total capacity of 3.4 million TEU, with Maersk contributing 60 per cent and Hapag-Lloyd 40 per cent.

The network will include seven trade corridors and 26 mainline services, consisting of 14 services in Europe, four in the Middle East, 13 in Asia, and one in the Gulf of Mexico.