Suez Return Gathers Pace Despite Rising Red Sea Threat
The gradual return of container shipping to the Suez Canal appears to be gathering momentum, with several major carriers increasing their use of the Red Sea route despite a renewed rise in security concerns.
MSC reportedly sent seven vessels through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait during a two-week period this month, while Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have continued moving selected services back towards the Suez-Red Sea corridor. CMA CGM has also increased its use of the route.
Maersk has indicated that around a third of the traffic it would normally send through the Red Sea has already returned, with a broader restoration of Suez services possible during 2026 if conditions allow.
However, the situation remains a long way from normal.
The Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, while attacks on shipping and regional infrastructure have intensified. On 11 August, four crew members and two rescuers were killed following an attack on the Tihamah in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Just days later, another unmanned cargo vessel was struck by multiple projectiles around 40 nautical miles southeast of Al Mokha and was subsequently declared a total loss.
There are also signs that some operators are adapting their behaviour in response to the increased threat. Certain vessels, particularly tankers carrying Saudi oil, have reportedly been switching off AIS tracking systems while passing through the region in an effort to make their movements more difficult to monitor.
What appears to be emerging is a cautious and highly selective return to Suez. Carriers remain attracted by the shorter transit times and lower operating costs, but individual voyages continue to depend heavily on security assessments and conditions that can change very quickly.
Killick Martin continues to monitor developments closely and will keep customers informed of any changes that could affect routing, transit times or service reliability.
