The Gemini Cooperation of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd is preparing to return its ME11 service to the Suez Canal, reported the UK's Seatrade Maritime News.

The move follows Maersk's decision last week to re-route its MECL service through the canal. Neither carrier has denied plans to restore Gemini's first service to the Red Sea and Suez, with industry sources indicating the ME11 will follow shortly.

The ME11 service connects Middle East and Indian ports with the Mediterranean, calling at Jebel, Salalah, Mundra and Jawaharlal Nehru before sailing to Tangier, Valencia and Port Said. Gemini deploys 12 vessels averaging 16,000 TEU on the route.

Analysts had expected services linking India and the Middle East to the Mediterranean to be among the first to abandon Cape of Good Hope diversions, given the longer voyage times compared with Suez transits. A return would also enable calls at Jeddah, currently served by shuttle services JD1, JD2 and JD3.

In a joint statement, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd said discussions continue on when it is considered safe to introduce a trans-Suez network. They pledged any changes would minimise disruption while maintaining Gemini's reputation for schedule reliability.