Over the past 12 months, the supply of container capacity on routes within Northern Europe has increased by 43,000 TEU, with Maersk accounting for 70% of this increase, Alphaliner reports. In July 2025, the total capacity of vessels in this market was 17% higher than a year earlier, due to an increase in both the number of vessels (+5%) and their average capacity (+22%).
Maersk has expanded the capacity of its fleet on Northern European routes more than fourfold, from 9,300 to almost 40,000 TEU, as a result of the transition to a new route model within the GEMINI alliance with Hapag-Lloyd. The concept is based on the hub&spoke principle: the operator reduces the number of direct ports of call, focusing on transshipment of cargo through key hubs.
As part of this strategy, Maersk launched six new services between Northern European ports during the year, using eight vessels with capacities ranging from 2,400 to 5,900 TEU, strengthening the company’s position in regional logistics.