Following the successful trans-Suez transits of the Maersk Sebarok and the Maersk Denver, A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) has decided to implement the first structural change of a service back to the trans-Suez route. This applies to the MECL service, allowing Maersk to return to the service pattern originally designed and to provide customers with the most efficient transit times. The MECL service is solely operated by Maersk and connects the Middle East and India with the US East Coast.
Maersk will continue to monitor the security situation in the Middle East region very closely, and any alteration to the MECL service will remain dependent on the ongoing stability in the Red Sea area and the absence of any escalation in conflicts in the region. The safety of crew, assets, and customers’ cargo remains the highest priority. Maersk has contingency plans in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual MECL sailings or the wider structural change of the MECL service back to the Cape of Good Hope route.
Trans-Suez is the preferred route
Since the diversion of the first sailing from the Red Sea route to the Cape of Good Hope route, Maersk has maintained the intent to resume trans-Suez routing when conditions allowed. The Suez Canal is a vital maritime corridor between East and West and a key driver of efficient global supply chains. The route through the Suez, the Red Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is the fastest, most sustainable and most efficient way to serve customers with transport between Asia and Europe.
The structural change of the MECL service is a significant milestone in Maersk’s gradual resumption of trans-Suez sailings. The strategic partnership between Maersk and the Suez Canal Authority has played a key role in the planning of the return. Collaboration with the Suez Canal Authority and other strategic partners in the region continues to be critical to ensure that the structural change of the MECL service and any next steps in a gradual trans-Suez return happens in a way that ensures the safety of the operations and safeguards predictability and stability for customers.
First sailing of the structural change
The first sailing in the structural change of the MECL service will be the Cornelia Maersk on the westbound trans-Suez route voyage 603W, departing Jebel Ali on 15 January 2026. The Maersk Detroit voyage 602E, departing North Charleston on 10 January 2026, will be the first eastbound sailing to use the Trans-Suez route, with all subsequent sailings following this routing.
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