Maersk Has Made Official Return to Suez Corridor
Maersk announced on January 15, 2026, the official restart of their regular Red Sea and Suez Canal service via Cornelia Maersk from Jebel Ali in United Arab Emirates. This marks a significant milestone after over two years of diversions around Cape of Good Hope due to security concerns; MECL service will now run using trans-Suez route with improved transit efficiency for U.S. East Coast to India stops via Middle East stops.
Resumption follows two trial transits conducted between December 2025 and early January 2026, including voyages by Maersk Sebarok and Maersk Denver. On January 10th, Maersk Detroit will begin sailing along this restored route from North Charleston. Subsequent sailings will then follow this corridor with Maersk emphasizing how efficient its transit times will be, boasting only 62 days between Charleston and India as opposed to longer Cape of Good Hope alternatives.
Maersk recently noted that its operations remain contingent on maintaining security stability in the Red Sea region, with contingency plans in place should that situation deteriorate further. Furthermore, they have formed a strategic partnership with Suez Canal Authority in order to coordinate any gradual return and ensure operational safety.
Industry-Wide Cautionous Recovery In Progress
Maersk's return follows that of CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping line, which resumed regular transits through Suez Canal corridor for its India-U.S. INDAMEX service in January 2026. CMA CGM maintained limited Suez transits during conflict time using EU Operation Aspides security support which continues to accompany vessels through Red Sea region. Their CEO stated in December that industry return would take 60-90 days as necessary to accommodate logistics and prevent sudden port congestion.
Though Suez Canal traffic has resumed somewhat since resumption of operations, it still remains significantly depressed compared to pre-crisis levels. According to BIMCO Chief Shipping Analyst Niels Rasmussen, traffic in the first week of January 2026 was down 60% versus 2023 during this same timeframe due to extended diversion periods around Africa that artificially inflate freight rates by about 160% and artificially increase industry utilization rates. Analysts project that normalizing transits could decrease containership demand by approximately 10% which could accelerate vessel culling while simultaneously addressing industry overcapacity concerns.
Suez Canal Authority Confirms Operational Stability
On January 13, 2026, the Suez Canal Authority reported normal navigation operations, with 35 vessels transiting both ways and total net tonnage exceeding 1.6 million tons. Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, provided assurances that canal operations remained unaffected by an incident involving general cargo vessel FENER grounding outside its navigational channel at western anchorage area north of Port Said.
The Authority has actively encouraged major shipping lines to return to the corridor, offering new opportunities in industrial and logistical cooperation. A ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, supported by the Canal Authority in October 2025, established improved maritime transit security conditions; other carriers such as Wallenius Wilhelmsen remain cautious as they evaluate conditions before committing to their return.