CMA CGM signals gradual return to Suez Canal as Red Sea tensions subside

French container shipping major CMA CGM has resumed limited transits through the Suez Canal, marking a tentative shift in global shipping patterns as security risks in the Red Sea show signs of easing.

According to the Suez Canal Authority, two CMA CGM vessels recently completed passages through the strategic waterway. The CMA CGM Jacques Saade transited the canal northbound while sailing from Morocco to Malaysia, while the CMA CGM Adonis crossed southbound.

The Suez Canal, the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe, has seen a sharp decline in traffic since late 2023, when shipping lines diverted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militants. The group had targeted commercial shipping in response to the Gaza conflict, forcing carriers to opt for longer and costlier routes.

CMA CGM has previously stated that Red Sea and Suez transits are assessed individually, depending on prevailing security conditions. The company did not immediately comment on the latest movements.

Industry sentiment has begun to shift following a fragile ceasefire in Gaza that came into effect on October 10. Since then, there have been no reported attacks on merchant vessels, prompting some operators to cautiously reconsider the Suez route—an important source of foreign currency for Egypt.

Vessel tracking and company schedules indicate that Jacques Saade, named after CMA CGM’s founder, operates on the Asia–North Europe service, while Adonis is deployed on an Asia–Mediterranean loop. Additionally, CMA CGM’s published schedules show plans to route its India–US INDAMEX service through the Suez Canal starting in January.

The move follows similar cautionary steps by other carriers. Last week, Danish shipping giant Maersk confirmed that one of its vessels had sailed through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the first time in nearly two years. However, Maersk stressed that a full resumption remains unlikely in the near term, with the company opting for a gradual, step-by-step return.

While the latest transits point to improving confidence, shipping companies continue to monitor security developments closely before fully restoring Red Sea operations.