Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc has said he expects the Suez Canal to return to full operational normality for container shipping by 2026, according to ShippingWatch.
Speaking on Thursday, Clerc reportedly stated that the conditions needed for a complete return to the Suez Canal route are now in place, as reported by ShippingWatch. The Danish shipping giant has, along with much of the container industry, diverted a significant share of its Asia-Europe traffic away from the Suez Canal and around the Cape of Good Hope since attacks on shipping in the Red Sea disrupted the route.
According to ShippingWatch, Maersk has already been taking steps to expand its presence back through the Suez Canal. The outlet notes that Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have separately been widening their joint Red Sea service offerings, adding further capacity as confidence in the route appears to be building among major carriers.
Details on the specific factors Clerc cited as enabling a full return, along with any timeline beyond the general 2026 expectation, were not elaborated on in the available material. ShippingWatch’s full report, including further comments from the Maersk CEO, is available to subscribers.
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A confirmed and sustained return to the Suez Canal would mark a major shift in global container shipping patterns, following an extended period in which vessels rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid Red Sea security risks. For vessel operators, charterers, and logistics planners, any large-scale shift back to the Suez route would affect voyage distances, transit times, fuel consumption, and bunkering demand patterns along traditional Asia-Europe corridors.
Bunker suppliers and traders monitoring demand at key ports along both the Suez and Cape routes may find such a shift relevant, as it could influence where and how much fuel demand concentrates going forward. However, ShippingWatch’s report as summarized does not detail the security conditions underpinning Clerc’s expectations, so the pace and certainty of any full return remain unclear based on the available information.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: ShippingWatch
