First Steps Back: Ocean Carriers Restore Eastbound Suez Routing
At least two members of the Ocean Alliance have begun cautiously reintroducing the Suez Canal and Red Sea into their eastbound Europe–Asia rotations of late.
CMA CGM and OOCL have both confirmed recent eastbound sailings through the region, representing the clearest shift yet toward reinstating traditional trade lanes after Houthi-related security risks prompted mass rerouting nearly two years ago.
While carriers are still avoiding the area on westbound Asia–Europe voyages, even the partial return delivers measurable benefits. Eliminating the Cape of Good Hope diversion on one leg of the journey cuts around seven days from total round-trip transit times.
CMA CGM led the way last month by dispatching vessels through the Red Sea for the first time in two years when hostilities escalated. That move has now been followed by a wider Ocean Alliance commitment, with the NEU4 service set to resume its eastbound routing from Southampton to Asia via the Suez Canal – an indication of increasing confidence in operational and security conditions.
These developments coincide with a notable humanitarian breakthrough. Earlier this month, 11 seafarers who had been detained since a deadly July attack – an incident that claimed four lives and resulted in the loss of their vessel – were released by Houthi forces.
Despite this progress, most carriers remain hesitant and continue to signal that a full-scale return to Red Sea transits is not imminent. Nonetheless, the reopening of selected eastbound services suggests that a potential normalisation of Asia–Europe shipping patterns may follow next year.
The Atlantic Pacific team will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as conditions evolve.
