Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has made great strides toward resuming normal traffic through this important waterway, with major shipping lines signalling their return as regional security strengthens.
Maersk Group Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement for December Transit Services
On November 25th 2025, SCA and A.P. Moller-Maersk Group signed a strategic partnership agreement, enabling Maersk-affiliated vessels to begin transits of the Suez Canal by early December as a precursor to full capacity operations.
Admiral Rabiee highlighted the agreements role in returning global supply chains to their optimal route, crediting the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit for helping maintain security in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab region. Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc cited canal's centrality to their network while offering encouragement in ongoing de-escalation efforts.
Maersk confirmed an early December start, while Hapag-Lloyd continued monitoring, with possible trial transits planned as soon as conditions permit and crew safety was ensured.
CMA CGM Resumes Full Capacity Operations
CMA CGM announced full-capacity operations through the Suez Canal will resume from December 2025, following successful trial transits earlier in November. Two vessels - CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin (largest vessel passing through in two years), and Zheng He - successfully navigated passages, signaling confidence in this route once more.
Advanced discussions between SCA and CMA CGM ultimately resulted in an agreement for comprehensive resumption through both canal and Bab el-Mandab Strait, in line with SCAs efforts to reach out to shipping lines since the Red Sea crisis started.
Traffic Improvement in November Signals Recovery of Economic Activity
Suez Canal navigation statistics for November 2025 showed further progress, with 1,156 vessels traversing and carrying 48.5 million tons net cargo to generate revenues totaling $383.4 million - this represents growth compared with Novembers prior year figures of 1,000 vessels carrying 38.3 million tons net cargo and producing $300.6 million respectively.
October also witnessed positive trends, with 1,136 ships transporting 47.1 million tons - an increase of 7 million tons year-on-year. The SCA anticipates continued increases, which it hopes to support through flexible pricing practices such as offering 15
Ongoing discussions with shipping lines aim to adjust schedules and streamline returns via the Red Sea, improving service networks and fleet capabilities.
Namport MoU Strengthens African Ties
On December 19th 2025, SCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Namibian Ports Authority on dredging expertise, intending to enter African markets.
Egypts Suez Canal Authority made this agreement official on December 17, underscoring their strategy of regional development and cooperation in port infrastructure.
Red Sea Transit Signals Normalization.
Maersk-owned boxship completed transit through the southern Red Sea, signaling growing normalization along the route amid progress made toward ceasefire in Gaza.
The SCA sees these developments as steps back toward pre-crisis traffic levels, with Maersks return likely encouraging other lines.