Maersk returns MECL services to trans-Suez route as Red Sea stabilises

Danish shipping major Maersk is shifting all its MECL services connecting India and the Middle East with the US East Coast back to the trans-Suez route after nearly two years of rerouting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope due to Red Sea security concerns.

Danish shipping major Maersk is implementing a structural shift back to the trans-Suez route for all Maersk MECL services connecting India and the Middle East with the US East Coast.

For nearly two years, it has moved through the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa following the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels that had disrupted activity in this critical maritime lane between Asia and Europe.

Return via Suez

With Cornelia Maersk departing Salalah, Oman, on January 26, MECL services will utilise a Westbound Trans-Suez route. The ship Maersk Detroit, with planned departure from Port Tangier, Morocco, on February 3, will return to the Trans-Suez route on all Eastbound MECL service sailings, the shipping major said.

In November, French shipping major CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin became the first ultra‑large ship to pass through the Red Sea safely in almost two years.

Following this, in December, Danish shipping major Maersk said it would gradually consider a wider East-West network shift back to the trans-Suez corridor, depending on whether security thresholds continue to be met. The Singapore-flagged vessel Maersk Sebarok in the MECL service successfully transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea on December 18-19, 2025.

Security improves

The decision to return to the Suez Canal follows a continued stabilisation of conditions in and around the Red Sea, including the Suez corridor, as well as improved stability and reliability in the region, allowing us to return to the service pattern originally designed to provide our customers with the most efficient transit times.

Safety, contingencies

The safety of crew, assets, and customers’ cargo remains the highest priority. Maersk has contingency plans in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual MECL sailings or reverting the MECL service to the Cape of Good Hope route.

Maersk has contingency plans in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual MECL sailings or the wider structural change of the MECL service back to the Cape of Good Hope route, the shipping major said.

The Trans-Suez route is the fastest and most efficient route for MECL. The trade will benefit from a transit time that is one week faster, it said.

Published on January 16, 2026