The Suez Canal is slowly opening
An increasing number of shipping lines are gradually returning to the route through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal instead of sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. The shorter route offers faster transit times, lower fuel consumption and increases vessel capacity.
Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Cosco and OOCL have already started using the Suez Canal for selected services. Hapag-Lloyd is also planning to use this route going forward.
Traffic through the Suez Canal has increased significantly during 2026. Between January and August, 55% more container capacity was transported through the canal compared with the same period in 2025, despite a slightly lower number of vessels. At the same time, fewer vessels are sailing around Africa.
However, traffic remains well below pre-crisis levels. Shipping lines therefore emphasise that the return will take place gradually and only for as long as the security situation in the Red Sea and the Middle East remains stable. Individual sailings may still be changed at short notice.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your shipments.
