On January 11-12, Danish carrier Maersk successfully transited the Red Sea with its US-flagged vessel Maersk Denver as part of its ongoing steps toward reinstating Suez Canal routes. CMA CGM's earlier returns are welcomed by the Suez Canal Authority; however, full traffic recovery may remain uncertain given ongoing security concerns.
Commerical shipping into Bab al-Mandeb Strait experienced a sharp decrease on January 12 following US and UK airstrikes targeting Houthi targets in Yemen. Following Bimco's call for a 72-hour transit halt and Torm's threat of retaliation against southern Red Sea voyages, over 290 vessels remain present as markets prepare for more escalation.
Charter and freight markets began the inaugural full week of 2026 on an upward trend with crude tankers leading rate increases, along with container trades such as Top Ships' Eco Oceano time charter rate being raised sharply; Red Sea disruption and pre Lunar New Year cargo demand drove up spot freight rates on mainline Asia to US routes leading to higher spot freight rates overall.
From 6-8 January 2026, new data and carrier guidance revealed that Suez Canal transits remain about 60 percent lower than pre crisis levels despite a temporary cessation in Houthi attacks. BIMCO highlighted this persistent shortfall while Maersk and CMA CGM provided gradual approaches for any large scale return of Red Sea/Trans Suez routes.
Container shipping markets opened 2026 with significantly higher spot rates from East Asia to US East Coast, even as US container imports ended 2025 slightly below 2024. Early January updates from major carriers show service adjustments and limited idling of container ships as they create tight yet reshaping capacity landscape.
Recent port operations were marked by an abrupt surge in transpacific container freight rates, continuing security risks in the Red Sea region, and capacity redeployments on key Asia-Europe trades. Furthermore, U.S. regulatory pressure against global shipping practices as well as Venezuela-specific port impacts influenced terminal operators, carriers and cargo owners when planning their operational strategy.
As 2026 begins, Red Sea disruptions continue to impact global shipping with Houthi threats to target specific vessels again, increased freight rates, and constant route diversions around Cape of Good Hope. New mandatory SOLAS rules for reporting lost containers went into effect January 1 addressing risks exacerbated by weather exposure during Red Sea avoidance; carriers remain cautious on returning Suez due to supply chain instability.
December 2025 marked an historic turning point in global ocean shipping as carriers gradually resumed Suez Canal transits after nearly one year of Cape of Good Hope diversion. CMA CGM launched regular eastbound services while Maersk promised 10-14 day transit time reductions; yet oversupply and weak demand continue pressurizing rates across major trade lanes.
Maersk Group and CMA CGM have initiated their return to the Suez Canal starting early December 2025 following agreements with the Suez Canal Authority amid improved Red Sea security. Successful trial transits and an agreement for new diving support vessels signify gradual recovery in global trade routes; full normalization could take months.
Maersk achieved numerous milestones during December 2025, such as the historic call of its 17,480 TEU methanol vessel Beijing Maersk at Ghana's Tema Port, launch of new reefer rail services in India, appointment of new North America president, and signalling plans to resume Red Sea transits in response to resilient market conditions across regions. All these achievements reflect Maersk's dedication to sustainability, capacity, and supply chain reliability.
Geopolitical tensions dominated global maritime trade during the final months of 2025, with US tariffs driving cargo contraction and port charge retaliations from China. A Busan truce offered some relief while Red Sea trials conducted by Maersk and CMA CGM hinted at normalization; container rates continued to surge amid delays highlighting persistent disruptions.
CMA CGM announced they have successfully resumed full-capacity operations through the Suez Canal following successful trial transits in December 2025. CMA CGM's megaship CMA CGM Jacques Saade used this route on December 23, marking it as being used by one of its largest container vessels since 2016. CMA CGM plans a dedicated India-US service via Suez starting January 2026.
Pharos Offshore Group announced the purchase of a 620hp UTV620 jet trencher on October 27, 2025 to enhance their subsea cable and pipeline burial services ahead of an active 2026 season. In addition, Jake Tompkins was appointed Chairman to mark an important leadership milestone in their growth strategy and further solidify Pharos' position within offshore wind, telecoms, oil & gas and other sectors.
Major container ports around the world experienced severe operational disruptions in late December 2025 due to severe weather conditions and capacity restrictions, with European and UK ports dealing with fog and wind effects while Asian and North American gateways had to manage congestion ahead of Chinese New Year peak season.
Maersk and CMA CGM resumed transits of the Suez Canal with key vessels in late December 2025, signaling their return toward normal traffic levels by mid-2026. Egypt and Japan signed an agreement for an emergency diving support vessel grant of $22 million; Chairman Osama Rabie of SCA acknowledged these as results of intensive marketing efforts under rising stability conditions.
Since December 10, 2024, both the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have seen over one month without confirmed Houthi attacks on merchant vessels since December 10th; analysts credit reduced targets, US and UK airstrikes, and Houthi focus on land targets amid potential Gaza ceasefire ceasefire for this peaceful trend; although risks still exist.
On December 23rd 2025, the Suez Canal welcomed mega container ships CMA CGM Jacques Saade and CMA CGM Adonis back into service, signifying CMA CGMs full capacity return while Maersk began gradual resumption through Maersk Sebarok transits. Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie anticipates normal traffic will return by mid-2026 through intensive marketing initiatives.
Container freight markets experienced gradual improvement during the week ending December 29th 2025, driven by carrier blank sailings on Trans-Pacific routes and initial Suez Canal transits by Maersk Sebarok and CMA CGM Jacques Saade. Spot rates also rose on key indices with Asia-Europe bookings increasing and steady US port operations supporting year-end flows ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations.
On December 23, 2025, the Suez Canal witnessed major transits by CMA CGM's mega container ships Jacques Saade and Adonis - marking their full-capacity return after two years - along with Maersk Sebarok signaling gradual resume under its new strategic partnership. SCA Chairman Admiral Ossama Rabie anticipates normal traffic by mid-2026 thanks to intensive marketing efforts.
Over the past week, container shipping experienced several critical incidents. These included the controlled fire on ONE Henry Hudson's return to Los Angeles, as well as crew abandonment after a Red Sea explosion aboard Hong Kong-flagged vessel from Hong Kong-flagged vessel Hong Kong-flagged. Northern Sea Route recorded 15 container transits with seasonal gains for 2025 via 2025 Northern Sea Route as newbuilding orders hit 600 vessels year-on-year; plus Suez Canal returns could soon follow for major lines.