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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Between December 22-24 2025, the Suez Canal entered a new phase of recovery as CMA CGM deployed ultra large container vessels and Maersk resumed transits under their strategic partnership agreement with the Suez Canal Authority. These developments signal a reduction in Red Sea security risks while supporting forecasts that canal traffic may return to its previous levels by mid-2026.
Maersk and CMA CGM began cautiously resuming Suez Canal transits after almost two years of Cape of Good Hope routing following a fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025. War risk premiums have fallen significantly while security analysts caution that conditions remain volatile and could change quickly.
Maersk and CMA CGM began cautiously resuming Suez Canal transits after almost two years of Cape of Good Hope routing following a fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025. War risk premiums have fallen significantly while security analysts caution that conditions remain volatile and could change quickly.
Container carriers remain "firm" on transpacific rate stability; January capacity up 13% to US West Coast. Maersk completes its first Suez Canal transit in two years, indicating a cautious resumption of traffic through the Red Sea corridor. Asia-Europe bookings soar as inland networks face railcar shortages and driver constraints moving toward 2026.
Two big ship operators, Maersk Group and CMA CGM, have revealed plans to once again make Suez Canal transits starting in December 2025, a sign of tentative recovery based on improvements in Red Sea security resulting from a Gaza ceasefire agreement and the resumption of the Sharm El-Sheikh peace initiatives. Trial transits by large vessels indicate carrier confidence that Suez Canal operations will be back to normal, although it will take months for full re-normalization.
A Hong Kong flagged container ship faced an explosion and fire while transiting northbound in the Red Sea this week, and the crew reportedly abandoned ship leaving it adrift off Yemen. “The incident underscores lingering perils for both security and environmental protections for container shipping in this corridor—and amidst the industry's attempts to gradually restore Suez routings. “The ASL Bauhinia experienced an explosion and resultant fire that caused a floater to have to abandon ship. However, there is no indication of the root of this incident or confirmation of vessel tracking,” commented one container shipping risk expert.
From December 8-10, 2025, the Suez Canal scene was defined by Maersk and CMA CGM’s confirmed plans for next large scale Suez Canal transits commencing December 2025, and its highlighted transit by gigantic floating repair dockGREEN DOCK 3 earlier in the week - an indicator of enhanced protection, growing confidence, and expanding capacity along the important artery.
Between 6-8 December 2025, the Suez Canal’s slow recovery appeared to be gathering pace as CMA CGM said it would commence a full loop of its container service via Suez, while Suez Canal Authority showcased its tricky transit of floating dock GREEN DOCK 3. However, officials were still reporting lower volumes and revenues. Analysts suggested a full scale rerouting from Cape route is still months away.
Over the past week, freight rates in container shipping markets received another boost from spot general rate increases, uncertainty around Red Sea and Suez Canal return dates and operational disruptions stemming from exposure to weather and labor risks. Carriers and ports are both grappling with capacity deployment, inland bottlenecks, and investments against a quirkily entrenched global demand backdrop.
December 4-6, 2025: Suez Canal was still being overshadowed by CMA CGM’s decision to send its INDAMEX service via Suez and new research containing further analysis of the market impact of carrier returns is still several months away. The Suez Canal Authority continued to reach out to the bigger lines such as Maersk and Hapag Lloyd, but those carriers remained committed to security and schedule reliability rather than any short cuts.
No timeline for when Gemini alliance would like to restart transits through Red Sea due to ceasefire developments said Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd on November 26. Nine Filipino seafarers from M/V Eternity C sunk by Houthis on July 17 are set for release after five months held captive by Houthis.
CMA CGM moved 6.17 million TEU in Q3 2025 despite geopolitical disruption, with a new agreement reached to re-start Suez Canal transits in December. Mediterranean-South America services were enhanced and stakes in major ports expanded at the same time that freight rates fell sharply and competition for capacity mounted.