Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd resume vessel transits through Egypt's Suez Canal

This decision replaces the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope. The first vessel scheduled for the trans-Suez passage will be the Majestic Maersk. The companies stated that this joint decision followed thorough assessments of the security situation in the Red Sea area, marking a step towards a gradual return to the trans-Suez corridor.

A broader return to the Suez Canal is expected to significantly reduce transit times, lower operating costs, and improve the efficiency of global supply chains. The Suez Canal is described as a vital maritime corridor between East and West, and a key driver of efficient global supply chains, offering the fastest, most sustainable, and most efficient way to transport goods between Asia and Europe. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi revealed on July 4, 2026, that Egypt has lost over $10 billion in Suez Canal revenues due to attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, highlighting the economic impact of geopolitical tensions on this strategic maritime corridor.