Two CMA CGM Mega-Ships Transit Suez Canal: Is a Turning Point on the Horizon for Red Sea Shipping?

The Suez Canal Authority confirmed on Tuesday that two vessels owned by CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest shipping company, have transited the canal: the CMA CGM Jacques Saade sailing north to south, and the CMA CGM Adonis sailing south to north. The former is en route from Morocco to Malaysia, while the latter is operating on the Asia-Mediterranean route.

Since November 2023, frequent attacks on merchant ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels—ostensibly in support of Palestine—have forced most shipping firms to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, significantly lengthening voyage distances and costs. However, following the entry into force of the Gaza ceasefire agreement on October 10, no further attacks have been reported in the Red Sea region, offering a glimmer of hope for the resumption of normal shipping routes.

Despite this positive development, the industry remains highly cautious. Last week, Danish shipping giant Maersk allowed one vessel to pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait but emphasized that it would adopt a phased approach with no plans for a full-scale resumption of Red Sea services. For Egypt, the Suez Canal is a critical source of foreign exchange revenue, so any return of shipping traffic holds great significance.