Maersk and CMA CGM Announce Major Suez Canal Recovery With December Return

Maersk Signs Agreement to Resume Suez Transit Services

A.P. Moller-Maersk Group has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Suez Canal Authority, commencing the return of Maersk-affiliated vessels to the canal in early December 2025. The agreement represents a precursor to full-capacity operations and reflects the carrier's confidence in restored regional stability following the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit.

Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc noted that the Suez Canal remains an integral element of Maersk-affiliated ships' traffic, calling it 'the ideal and efficient waterway for global trade between East and West'. Prior to that time, they rerouted around Cape of Good Hope due to security concerns in Red Sea that have surfaced since late last year.

Suez Canal Authority Chairman Ossama Rabiee highlighted that the return of Maersk vessels represents a revert in the right direction towards the optimal route for sustainability of global supply chains, emphasizing it as the shortest, fastest, and most secure waterway linking East and West.

CMA CGM Announces Commitment to December Operations With Full Capacity

CMA CGM announced its plan to resume full transit through the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandab Strait starting December 2025 following successful trial transits conducted earlier in November. This decision showcases their confidence in an improved security environment while marking an important step toward resumption of major container line operations through this strategic waterway.

Advanced discussions between the Suez Canal Authority and CMA CGM resulted in the full-capacity commitment, with the carrier conducting trial voyages to assess operational viability. This decision positions CMA CGM as a leading carrier in the route's recovery and signals to other shipping lines the feasibility of Suez transits.

Suez Canal Traffic Signals Sustainable Recovery Momentum

Suez Canal Authority reported continued improvement in traffic statistics during November 2025, highlighting 1,156 vessels carrying total net tonsnage of 48.5 million metric tonnes that generated $383.4 million in revenues - this represents significant growth compared to November 2024, which recorded 1000 vessels transporting 38.3 million tonnes and $300.6 million revenues.

October 2025 data similarly demonstrated recovery, with 1,136 vessels transiting the canal carrying 47.1 million metric tonnes and generating $372.9 million in revenue, compared to 1,136 vessels, 40.4 million metric tonnes, and $322.1 million in October 2024. The improved statistics reflect the positive impact of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in promoting stability in the Red Sea and Bab El-Mandab region.

Authority Implements Flexible Pricing and Enhanced Services

Since the outbreak of Red Sea crisis, Suez Canal Authority has taken proactive measures to facilitate carrier recovery, including flexible pricing policies and service enhancements. They implemented a 15 percent toll reduction for container ships exceeding 130,000 tonnes that transited, incentivizing mega-vessel transits and returning traffic volumes back to pre-crisis levels.

Admiral Rabiee revealed that the Authority has bolstered its fleet with various types of new maritime units and expanded its service network to support the return of major shipping lines. The Chairman indicated that intensive discussions with all shipping lines will continue to review and adjust sailing schedules and the timing of vessel resumption through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab Strait during the upcoming period.