Maersk Takes a Major Step Toward Red Sea Transit

Maersk has taken a significant step toward resuming transit through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

For the first time in nearly two years, a Maersk vessel successfully passed the Bab el Mandeb Strait.

This voyage is being viewed as a symbolic breakthrough for global shipping.

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A Carefully Controlled Test Voyage

The vessel involved is the Maersk Sevalok, a 6,500 TEU container ship sailing under the Singapore flag.

It is operating on an India to US East Coast service and safely transited the Red Sea between December 18 and 19.

Maersk described this passage as an important step forward, but not a full return to normal operations.

The company emphasized that this was only the first voyage in a gradual and conditional process.

More Carriers Are Considering a Return to Suez

Maersk is not alone in reassessing the Suez Canal route.

Several major carriers have recently announced similar moves.

• CMA CGM plans to restart Suez Canal rotations on its India to US East Coast service.
• RCL has already resumed services through the Red Sea.
• ONE and Evergreen are cautiously increasing their exposure via slot charters.

These decisions follow a period of reduced attacks on commercial vessels after the ceasefire agreement in October.

Some carriers now believe security conditions have improved to a tolerable level.

Lower Insurance Costs but Lingering Concerns

As security conditions improved, additional war risk premiums have declined sharply.

At their peak, premiums reached nearly one percent of a vessel’s insured value.

They have now fallen to around 0.2 percent, the lowest level since the crisis began.

However, this improvement alone is not enough to restore confidence across the supply chain.

Why Shippers Remain Reluctant

Many shippers continue to oppose a rapid return to the Suez route.

One major concern is that cargo insurance coverage remains limited in parts of the southern Red Sea.

In the event of an incident, shippers could face full financial exposure.

Another issue is cost uncertainty, as geopolitical risks could flare up again without warning.

A Critical Phase Ahead

The coming months will determine whether confidence can truly be restored.

Carriers must demonstrate consistent safe passage before insurers and shippers change their stance.

The first half of 2026 is expected to be a decisive period for logistics normalization.