On January 15, 2026, Maersk officially announced a structural adjustment to its independently operated Middle East - India - US East Coast (MECL) service, marking its return to the Suez Canal routeMaersk. This move is based on the successful test voyages of two container ships through the waterway, with clear first sailing arrangements, while maintaining strict security preconditions and contingency plansMaersk. It reflects a tentative and cautious industry trend of resuming navigation in the Red Sea, with multiple challenges remaining to be addressed.
1. Core Adjustment of MECL Service
MECL (Middle East Container Line) is a service independently operated by Maersk, connecting the Middle East, India and the US East Coast. After the structural adjustment, it abandons the previous "single - voyage assessment" model for routing decisions and returns to the originally designed service pattern, aiming to provide customers with more efficient transit times.
| Direction | First Vessel | Voyage No. | Departure Port & Date | Core Significance |
| Westbound | MSC Cornelia Maersk | 603W | Jebel Ali, January 15, 2026 | First westbound sailing of the structurally adjusted MECL service via the Suez CanalMaersk |
| Eastbound | Maersk Detroit | 602E | North Charleston, January 10, 2026 | First eastbound sailing of the MECL service via the Suez Canal, with subsequent sailings following suitMaersk |
Preparatory Test Voyages
In December 2025, the "Maersk Sebarok" operating on the MECL route successfully sailed through the Bab el - Mandeb Strait into the Red Sea, which was the first time a Maersk vessel had passed through the area in nearly two years. This test voyage laid a foundation for the subsequent full resumption of the Suez Canal route for the MECL service.
2. Security Principles and Contingency Plans
Maersk has always prioritized the safety of crew, ships and customer cargoMaersk. The company stated that it will continue to assess the security situation in the Middle East, and the operation of the MECL service will depend strictly on the stability of the Red Sea regionMaersk. A comprehensive contingency plan has been formulated. If the security situation deteriorates, the company will not rule out re - routing via the Cape of Good Hope for specific voyages or the entire serviceMaersk.
3. Industry Response and Market Status
3.1 Actions of Other Shipping Companies
CMA CGM: Its Europe - Far East FAL1 service has resumed eastbound navigation via the Suez Canal and added a call at Jeddah Port.
ZIM: It has announced plans to resume Red Sea routes and is waiting for final approval from insurers.
3.2 Industry Prudence and Key Obstacles
Most shipping companies still adopt a highly cautious attitude, and the conditions for a full - scale resumption of navigation are not yet mature. The main obstacles are as follows:
Uneliminated Regional Security Risks: The threat of attacks in the Red Sea has not been completely eradicated, and the risk of shipping remains high.
High War Risk Insurance Premiums: The high cost of insurance increases the operational cost pressure of shipping companies.
Cautious Attitude of Shippers: Shippers value the certainty and stability of the supply chain more than the time - saving advantages of the Suez Canal route, worrying about potential safety hazards and the resulting delays and cargo damage.
4. Significance and Market Impact
4.1 Positive Value
Time and Cost Savings: The Suez Canal route can save about two weeks of transit time compared with the Cape of Good Hope detour, improving transportation efficiency and reducing fuel and operational costs.
Return to Original Service Design: The structural resumption of the route enables Maersk to restore the originally designed service model of the MECL service, providing customers with more stable and predictable transit timesMaersk.
4.2 Potential Risks
Geopolitical Uncertainty: The situation in the Red Sea is complex and volatile, and the resumption of navigation is faced with the risk of being interrupted again.
Uneven Market Confidence: The cautious attitude of shippers and some shipping companies may limit the scale of the resumption of navigation, and it will take time to rebuild the confidence in the stability of the route.
5. Conclusion
Maersk’s structural resumption of the MECL service on the Suez Canal route is a key step in the industry’s tentative resumption of Red Sea navigation, but it is not a sign of a full - scale resumption of navigation. It reflects a balance between efficiency and safety in the shipping industry under the current geopolitical situation. In the future, the operation of the MECL service will still be closely linked to the security situation in the Red Sea, and the stability and sustainability of the resumption of navigation still need to be tested by the market and the regional situationMaersk.