Maersk Cautiously Returns to Red Sea Route After Months Away

Key Details Container ship transits through the Suez Canal hit a 10-week high in mid-May, with 32 vessels passing through the week ending May 17. This marks a significant uptick from just 22 ships the previous week, signaling renewed carrier confidence in the contested route. Why It Matters Maersk has resumed limited operations via Suez Canal, operating only at the northern end through a shared service loop with Hapag-Lloyd. The move comes after months of diversions around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, which continues to dominate with 190-200 weekly transits. The Reality Check Larger carriers including CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. are also testing the Suez route again. However, a full-scale return remains unlikely given ongoing regional tensions that began in late 2023 with Houthi attacks and intensified after February's Iran conflict. Bottom Line While the upward trend in Suez transits is encouraging, the Cape of Good Hope remains the safer bet for most operators. Expect gradual increases rather than wholesale route shifts until regional stability improves significantly.