DP World Americas has announced a new partnership with the Gemini Cooperation to “stregthen Canadian cargo operations.” As soon as the Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd launches in February 2025 DP World will “introduce several new container services” at its terminals at the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Saint John. DP World said the arrangement will allow it to “present additional options for cargo loading and discharge” at these ports. This highlights that DP World is a logistics provider, offering end-to-end services to customers, and not just a terminal operator handling containers for a shipping line. DP World is marketing Gemini Cooperation services to its own customers.
The collaboration is aimed at cargo flows between Asia, Europe and North America. “Vancouver and Prince Rupert will handle key shipping services to and from Asia, while Saint John will manage services connecting to Northern Europe,” DP World said. The Gemini Cooperation has set a target of 90% on-time vessel arrival, which DP World believes fits well with the “dependable service” it offers at its Canadian Gateways. “Prince Rupert’s proximity to Asia—North America’s closest port to the region—combined with advanced connectivity to critical rail routes and uncongested infrastructure, makes it both the fastest service from APAC and an indispensable hub for transpacific trade,” DP World said.
DP World is also trying to encourage shippers to move cargo through Saint John in New Brunswick, where it has recently added two STS cranes purchased from the Port of Virginia, taking the fleet at the terminal to four STS cranes. While the local market in Saint John (population 73,000) is limited, the container terminal is connected to both Canadian Class I railroads (CN and CPKC) and is only 68 miles from the US border, where there are rail connections to US railroads through the PanAm Rail Network.