On November 25, the Suez Canal Authority announced that, following bilateral talks with the Maersk Group and the signing of a new strategic partnership agreement, as a first step towards a full return, Maersk will resume the passage of its container ships through the Suez Canal in early December.
However, Maersk subsequently denied this
The statement about resuming navigation in early December is inaccurate
A specific date has not been confirmed
Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc stated at a joint press conference: “We are greatly encouraged by the progress in the Gaza peace process, the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the gradual normalization of trade routes. With the significant improvement in the situations in Gaza and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Maersk will gradually take action to resume passage through the Suez Canal when conditions permit.”
He emphasized that in any decision-making
Crew safety is always the top priority
Since December 15, 2023, due to instability factors in the Mediterranean situation and attacks by the Houthis, among other reasons, several shipping companies were forced to suspend transit through the Suez Canal and opted to divert via the Cape of Good Hope. As of November 25, the diversion had lasted for 710 days.
Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, stated that global shipping companies have long believed that the route via the Cape of Good Hope cannot replace the Suez Canal.
He also confirmed that negotiations are currently underway with other major operators, including the French CMA CGM Group, which is also expected to resume transit in December.
Previously, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin successfully transited the Suez Canal recently, becoming the largest ship to transit in two years.
Relying on French naval escorts and special security measures
CMA CGM is one of the few shipping companies that continuously maintained
Some Red Sea routes during the crisis
As previously reported by Verson, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services is awaiting insurance company approval to return to the Suez Canal and expressed its expectation to abandon the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope as soon as possible in favor of the shorter route. Soon to return to the Red Sea! ZIM is awaiting insurance approval to resume Suez transit
Latest statistics from Clarksons Shipping Consulting show that as of November, the average weekly transit volume through the Suez Canal has maintained growth for two consecutive months, reflecting a gradual restoration of shipping company confidence.
Leading global shipping companies have recently begun signaling their return. Combined with the easing Red Sea situation and incentive policies from the Egyptian authorities, this indicates that the recovery process of the Suez Canal—this major artery of Asia-Europe trade—has significantly accelerated.
