Container shipping giant MSC has begun partially resuming transits through the Suez Canal, according to Ship & Bunker. The move follows an internal review of security and operational conditions in the Red Sea region.
According to Ship & Bunker, MSC confirmed in a notification issued Monday that the resumption applies to a limited number of East-West services. The affected routes include MSC’s Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-North Europe, and India-Mediterranean services, covering selected eastbound and westbound voyages.
The first sailings under the revised transit plans reportedly began on August 20, Ship & Bunker noted. Vessels named as part of the initial group include MSC Michel Cappellini, MSC Josefina, MSC Beryl, MSC Anna and MSC Tina.
Phased Rollout Across Services
Ship & Bunker reports that MSC intends to implement the return to Suez Canal routing on a service-by-service basis. This means booking confirmations and vessel schedules will be updated gradually rather than all at once, as the carrier works through its network.
MSC’s move mirrors similar decisions by other major carriers. Ship & Bunker notes that Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, operating jointly through their Gemini Cooperation, have also resumed Suez Canal transits. CMA CGM has likewise returned to the route on selected services, according to the same report.
Does This Matter to You?
A partial return to Suez Canal routing by major container lines could signal a shift in how carriers are assessing risk in the Red Sea corridor, which has seen extended diversions around the Cape of Good Hope in recent periods. Vessel operators and charterers tracking transit patterns may find this relevant when evaluating routing options and voyage planning for Asia-Europe and India-Mediterranean cargo flows.
For bunker traders and suppliers at ports along both the Suez and Cape routes, shifts in carrier routing decisions can influence demand patterns at key bunkering hubs. However, Ship & Bunker’s report does not specify the scale or duration of this resumption, nor does it clarify whether other carriers beyond those named will follow suit. The direct commercial impact on bunker demand and pricing across affected ports is not detailed in the source material.
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: Ship & Bunker
