Freight News, Sea


No early return to Suez, says Ti – updated

[ December 5, 2025   //   ]

A statement by the Suez Canal Authority that Maersk Line was poised to return its ships to the canal is premature, reports consultancy Ti in a recent Logistics Briefing.

Despite an apparent announcement on 25 November that Maersk would resume Gemini sailings through Suez and the Red Sea in early December,

this was hastily corrected by Maersk the next day, saying that there was no specific timing for such a change.

Ti says that the situation in the Red Sea remains unpredictable. While the Houthis are no longer firing at merchant ships the rebels have made no definitive statement that they have ceased attacking vessels. The apparent pause in attacks may be due to a lack of access to weaponry such as missiles and drones following a deterioration in relations with Iran but that does mean that they have no aspirations to launch attacks on shipping in future.

Ti adds that insurance rates for shipping through the Red Sea remain high and this is likely to be a major factor in any decision by ship operators to return to Suez.

Ti adds that it is understandable that the Suez Canal Authority is eager for shipping lines to resume using the Canal, and this is probably what is behind the recent statements.

However, on 5 December CMA CGM announced its Indamex service between India/Pakistan and US East Coast would will transit Suez in both directions from mid-January.

Shipping intelligence firm Xeneta said the move would reduce full loop transit time on this service by two weeks, down to 77 days.

Chief analyst, Peter Sand,  said: “We are still some way from a largescale return of container shipping to the Red Sea, but CMA CGM’s announcement of a full east-west loop via Suez is certainly a notable step in the right direction. We have seen carriers, particularly CMA CGM, testing the water recently by transiting Suez Canal on a select few voyages, particularly backhaul legs to Asia when there is less cargo onboard.

“Until now, these transits via Suez Canal have been on a case-by-case basis, diverting voyages originally scheduled to sail around Cape of Good Hope. CMA CGM’s announcement this week is important because it is a structural change with a service proforma to transit Suez Canal on every sailing.”

Xeneta added that other major carriers, including Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, have not announced a firm timeline for a large-scale Red Sea return, while ZIM has stated it is waiting for insurance approval.

Sand warned though that CMA CGM’s move does not automatically mean an imminent largescale return of container shipping to the Red Sea. The number of container ships transiting Suez Canal in November 2025 was 120, down from 583 in October 2023, shortly before the escalation of attacks on merchant ships in the region by Houthi Militia.

He said: “Carriers will be carrying out risk assessments and the security situation remains fragile. The assessment will look at the Houthi’s ability, opportunity and intent to attack ships. We know they have the ability, but carriers will want assurance over their intent, especially because the opportunity will increase as more ships begin sailing through the region.”

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