Maersk Completes Red Sea Transit as Suez Canal Eyes Gradual Carrier Return
The Suez Canal is showing tentative signs of recovery as major container carriers cautiously test Red Sea routes ahead of a potential full return to the vital waterway. On January 11-12, Danish shipping giant Maersk completed a successful transit through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Red Sea with its US-flagged vessel Maersk Denver, signaling ongoing evaluations of security conditions.
Maersk Line's Second Red Sea Test Voyage
Maersk confirmed that the 6,200 TEU Maersk Denver, operating on voyage 552W of the company's MECL service from the Middle East-Indian Subcontinent to the US East Coast, passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait unharmed. The company emphasized that crew safety, vessel security, and cargo protection were prioritized with all necessary measures in place. Customers with cargo onboard were directly notified.
This transit follows a similar test in December 2025 by the Singapore-flagged Maersk Sebarok on December 18-19. Maersk described both as monitoring efforts rather than indicators of normalized operations. Assuming security thresholds are met, the carrier plans a stepwise approach to resuming East-West corridor navigation via the Suez Canal and Red Sea, though no additional sailings were announced as of January 12.
Industry analysts from Xeneta observed two successful passages within three weeks suggest Maersk may increase trial frequency soon, potentially by including both eastbound and westbound routes or adding vessels on existing services.
Suez Canal Authority Welcomes Major Line Returns
Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), highlighted the return of major lines as the result of intensive marketing efforts. CMA CGM has led the resurgence, transiting mega vessels like the LNG-fueled 24,000 TEU CMA CGM Jacques Saade southbound and CMA CGM Adonis northbound with 154,000 tons of cargo in late December 2025. The French group announced its full capacity return, while Maersk is proceeding gradually.
Rabiee encouraged other lines to make changes and resume voyages through the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Suez Canal. SCA expects gradual traffic improvements in 2026 with normal rates becoming available by second half of year; carriers remain cautious due to insurance adjustments as well as regional tensions such as unrest in Iran.
Persistent Challenges and Their Economic Effect
BIMCO data indicates that Suez Canal traffic remains 60-70% below its pre-crisis levels despite a temporary pause in Houthi attacks which started disrupting it in October 2023. Major shipping lines like MSC and Hapag-Lloyd continue avoiding Red Sea shipping by opting for Cape of Good Hope rerouting routes which increase transit times, fuel costs, and premiums.
Egypt has experienced severe economic turmoil. Twenty24 Canal revenues fell over 60% year-on-year to $7 billion and 2025 projections are at $4.1 billion, Maersk's Winter 2026 Global Market Update warned of potential disruptions that could impact this vital waterway that transports over 12% of global trade through Asia-Europe flows and supports Egypt's foreign currency. Maersk noted its importance while warning of potential disruptions on this route that remain susceptible.
Broader industry reports from January 13 described the Suez Canal as showing signs of life following two years of Red Sea exodus, with cautious returns by ocean carriers; full resumption will depend on sustained safe conditions.