Shipping through the Suez Canal is gradually recovering

Container carriers are gradually restoring routes through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal after nearly three years of widespread diversions around Africa. Just over a quarter of container capacity on Europe–Asia routes is now transiting Suez, up from 17% in early August.

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have decided to shift four more service lines through the Red Sea instead of routing them around the Cape of Good Hope. MSC has also partially resumed Suez Canal transits on Asia–Mediterranean, Asia–Northern Europe and India–Mediterranean routes.

The return to the shorter route could reduce transit times between Asia and Europe and ease some logistics costs. However, carriers remain cautious and stress that further expansion will depend on stability in the Red Sea.

Shipping has not fully normalized yet. Escalating tensions in the region and risks around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait mean cargo owners still have to consider the possibility of vessels being rerouted around Africa again.

Market participants welcome shorter transit times but remain concerned about the safety of crews and cargoes. As a result, the return of container shipping to the Suez Canal remains gradual rather than a full restoration of previous routes.

Tags: сontainer carriers, Hapag-Lloyd, EU, Maersk, Suez Canal, shipping, Red Sea, Asia