Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have resumed limited transits through the Red Sea, marking a cautious step back into a corridor largely avoided since 2023 due to security risks.
According to the Journal of Commerce, the move follows recent geopolitical developments, including a ceasefire between the US and Iran, although both carriers emphasise that a broader return depends on regional stability and decisions by Iranian authorities.
Only a small number of vessels have been deployed, with both companies maintaining unchanged schedules and ruling out a full network return at this stage. As a result, the operational impact remains limited, with services continuing to rely on alternative routings while safety concerns persist.
Evergreen launched UBX service. The number of ships and average capacity of this service will be 9 vessels, averaging between 4,800 and 5,600 TEU.
COSCO launched a new Asia-ISC service -SEI2. The service is launched with 5 vessels averaging 3800 TEU.
CMA CGM has temporarily suspended its Asia–US Columbus pendulum service, which previously linked multiple East Coast ports, as part of a broader network adjustment. While no exact effective date was provided, the service was expected to phase out by the end of September, with a final sailing in May and scheduled port calls extending into mid-summer.
MSC to re-launch Transpacific service – Pearl. The service deploys vessels with an average vessel capacity of 6200 TEU.
MSC to re-launch Transpacific service – Sentosa. The service removes the call at Xiamen and deploys vessels with an average vessel capacity of 14900 TEU.
Ocean Alliance revised the port rotation of the Transpacific service – CBX. The service reinstates Port Klang and adds New York, deploying 14 vessels with an average capacity of 14500 TEU.
OCEAN Alliance launches the Mekong Transpacific Express service. The number of ships and average capacity of this service will be 9,000-13,000 TEU.
MSC launches the Sierra service. The number of ships and average capacity of this service will be 9,000 TEU.
Premier Alliance to revise the port rotation of Asia-North Europe services – FE3. The service drops Algeciras and adds Antwerp, deploying 17 vessels with an average capacity of 21300 TEU.
CMA CGM revised the Asia-South America service – ACSA1. The service adds calls at Manzanillo and Lazaro Cardenas and deploys 13 vessels with an average capacity of 14000 TEU.
Evergreen will charter slots on an Intra-Asia service – JHTN. The service will see Evergreen chartering slots on an existing service operated by TS Lines. It deploys three vessels with an average vessel capacity of 1200 TEU.
Maersk launched the PH1 service. The number of ships and average capacity of this service is 4 x 2,100-3,500 teu.
MSC launches the Ochna service.
The number of ships and average capacity of this service will be 3 vessels, averaging between 2,550 and 2,650 TEU.
ONE launches the Mediterranean Africa Express (MAX) service. The number of ships and average capacity of this service will be 5 vessels, averaging between 2,700 and 2,800 TEU.
MSC revised the port rotation of the North America-Oceania service – Eagle. The service adds a call at Napier with vessels averaging 4000 TEU.
For more point-to-point service options, including transit times across major ocean carriers, refer to seaexplorer.
