Suez Canal Authority (SCA) recently reported significant developments that portend a phased return to normal operations, driven by improved security in the Red Sea region as a result of recent ceasefire progress.
Maersk Group Signs Strategic Agreement to Restart Canal Operations
Maersk Group recently signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), allowing vessels affiliated with Maersk to resume transits through the Suez Canal as early as early December 2025 as an intermediate step towards full capacity operations.
Admiral Osama Rabiee, Chairman of the Supply Chain Alliance (SCA), highlighted this agreement as an important step toward optimizing global supply chains, noting how the canal serves as one of the fastest and safest waterways between East and West. A.P. Moller-Maersk CEO emphasised its centrality by noting how crucially important Sharm El Sheikh peace agreement will be for regional stability.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd's Gemini Alliance is keeping tabs on developments closely, yet has no set schedule for network changes - prioritizing crew and cargo safety as its top priority.
CMA CGM Returns to Full Capacity Operations
CMA CGM announced full capacity restoration via the Suez Canal by December 2025 following successful trial transits by ships such as CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin-the largest vessel to pass in two years -and CMA CGM Zheng He.
Advanced discussions with the SCA led to this resolution, with expectations that operations would become stabilized once security holds are in place. Industry observers note that while certain lines prepare returns, true normalization depends on sustained safety measures and schedule adjustments for full normalization.
Suez Canal Authority and JICA Diving Support Vessel Deal.
On December 28, SCA and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement totaling $22 Million - approximately 1 billion Egyptian pounds- for the purchase of the canal's inaugural diving support vessel (DSV).
DSV will increase security, emergency response and ship maneuvering capabilities. Early recovery signs have already surfaced with Q1 2025 navigation increasing 8.6% year-over-year despite 2024s 42% transit decrease due to prior disruptions.
Transport of Giant Floating Dock GREEN DOCK 3 Successful
On December 7, 2025, the SCA coordinated and supported the southbound transit of GREEN DOCK 3, from Indonesia to Turkey.
Chairman Rabie acknowledged the Suez Canals place as one of the safest global trade arteries, crediting development projects such as New Suez Canal widening and Southern Sector widening for providing sufficient safety margins (40 meters increased over previous safety margins) to support special operations on the canal.
November 2025 statistics demonstrated a healthy rebound, with 1,156 vessels transiting, 48.5 million tons net tonnage transported, and $383.4 million generated in revenue--an improvement compared to prior year figures and evidence of positive momentum.
These events have served to demonstrate that SCA has taken proactive steps, such as flexible pricing policies with 15% toll reductions for large container ships, to attract traffic. Major lines have begun their returns while full industry normalization should occur over months.