Maersk Restores Suez Canal Routing for MECL Service, Cutting Transit Times by Up to 14 Days
Maersk is returning another container service to the Suez Canal and Red Sea route, signalling a gradual shift away from Cape of Good Hope diversions as security conditions improve.
The shipping line announced on 9 July that its Middle East-US East Coast (MECL) service would resume using the trans-Suez route following operational changes to its AE15 service and the successful Red Sea transit of the Majestic Maersk.
The MECL service, operated exclusively by Maersk, connects key ports in India and the Middle East with the US East Coast.
According to the carrier, the route change will reduce average transit times by approximately seven days on westbound voyages and 14 days on eastbound voyages.
The first westbound sailing through the Suez Canal will be operated by the Maersk Denver on voyage 627W, while the Maersk Chicago on voyage 624E will lead the first eastbound sailing on the revised route.
Jeddah Added to Service Rotation
As part of the network adjustment, Maersk will introduce an eastbound call at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the revised schedule expected to take effect in August.
The updated eastbound rotation will include calls at Charleston, Savannah, Houston, Norfolk, Newark, Tangier, Jeddah, Salalah, Mundra, Pipavav and Nhava Sheva.
Maersk said the move represents another step towards the gradual restoration of services through the Suez Canal and Red Sea corridor.
However, the carrier stressed that it continues to monitor developments in the region closely and maintains contingency plans to reroute individual vessels or entire services around the Cape of Good Hope if security risks increase.
The decision reflects growing confidence in Red Sea operations while maintaining flexibility should geopolitical conditions deteriorate.
