Suez Return Gathers Pace As Houthi Attacks Intensify
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 recent attacks.
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 transferring services back towards the Suez-Red Sea corridor. CMA CGM has also increased its use of the waterway.
Maersk has indicated that around a third of the traffic it would normally route through the Red Sea has already returned and believes conditions could allow a more complete restoration of Suez services during 2026.
However, this is far from a return to normal.
The Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in July and 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 approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of Al Mokha and was subsequently declared a total loss.
There are also signs of operators adapting their behaviour to the increased threat. Some vessels, particularly tankers carrying Saudi oil, have reportedly been switching off AIS tracking systems while transiting the region in an effort to make their movements more difficult to monitor.
What seems to be emerging, therefore, is a cautious and highly selective return. Carriers clearly recognise the commercial benefits of the shorter Suez route, but individual voyages remain dependent on security assessments and conditions that could change rapidly.
Atlantic Pacific continues to monitor the situation closely.
