Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are returning to the Suez Canal

Shipping giants Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are resuming operations through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. The change affects the companies’ AE19 service, part of the Gemini platform, which had been rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope for security reasons.

Through a notice to its customers, Maersk said the change is taking effect immediately and will begin with the westbound voyage of the Berlin Maersk (628W) and the eastbound voyage 637E.

According to the companies, the decision was made following an evaluation of the security situation in the Red Sea area and represents a first step toward a gradual return to the waterway.

The AE19 service connects Asia with the Mediterranean, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. With the change, the itinerary will include Xingang, Qingdao, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Tanjung Pelepas, Jeddah, Suez Canal, Port Said, Tangier, Port Said, Suez Canal, Jeddah, Singapore, and Xingang.

Reduced transit times through the Suez Canal

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd indicated that the route via the Red Sea will allow them to offer more efficient transit times to customers compared to navigating around the Cape of Good Hope.

The companies emphasized that the corridor is a strategic maritime corridor between Asia and Europe and a key component of global supply chains.

*All images are referential.

Related stories

Suez Canal Authority confirms normal transit through the Red Sea despite regional tensions

Maersk’s new logistics protocol to streamline entry of Chilean grapes into the US