In a new statement published today, Danish liner Maersk announced its first structural return to the Suez Canal, starting with the MECL service.
The announcement comes after boxships Maersk Sebarok and Maersk Denver successfully completed trial transits through the Canal recently.
Maersk has confirmed the first structured shift back to the route, reinstating the sailing pattern originally designed for the service linking the Middle East and India with the United States East Coast.
"The structural change of the MECL service is a significant milestone in Maersk’s gradual resumption of trans-Suez sailings," writes the carrier, highlighting that this route "is the fastest, most sustainable and most efficient way to serve customers with transport between Asia and Europe."
The MECL network has been operating south of the Cape of Good Hope since early 2024, when carriers diverted ships away from the Red Sea. This longer routing extended journey times by as much as 14 days on certain trades between Asia and Europe.
As a result of this shift, the MECL rotation, currently relying on 14 vessels, will require only 12 ships by the end of the first quarter.
This adjustment follows confirmation that all ships on the service will resume transits through the Red Sea and the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait.
First ship to sail the reinstated route
The structural shift begins with the Cornelia Maersk, departing Jebel Ali on 15 January 2026 as the first westbound trans‑Suez voyage. The Maersk Detroit, which left North Charleston on 10 January 2026, will be the first eastbound vessel to use the reinstated routing.
Simultaneously, Maersk emphasises that continued monitoring of conditions in the region remains essential.
The safety of crew, assets, and customers’ cargo remains the highest priority.
The carrier notes that any future changes to the MECL operation will depend on stability in the Red Sea area, with contingency plans in place should the situation require a return to the Cape of Good Hope.
Ocean Alliance taking similar step
The Ocean Alliance, comprising of liners CMA CGM, COSCO, OOCL, and Evergreen, has also announced revising one of its services to take the Suez route.
According to a report by Container Management, the alliance's Europe–Far East FAL1 service is set to resume eastbound transits via the Canal, making it the second loop to return to the Suez.
The port rotation will include a call at the Port of Jeddah, connecting North European ports and ports in China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
