Alphaliner urges market analysts and operators not to get carried away by the possible resumption of shipping through Suez.
The analysis company said that in spite of some recent examples of de-escalation in the Red Sea, it is too soon to be optimistic. They pointed out that last week’s transits through the Canal by CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin and its sister ship Zheng He, both operating on the FAL1 service, do not represent a real reversal of the trend.
“The two recent ‘ad hoc’ transits did not come as a major surprise since CMA CGM has used the canal on a limited but continued basis this year,” explained Alphaliner. They highlighted that Ocean Alliance’s “MED5”, entirely managed by CMA CGM (“BEX2”), is the only service in the alliance to have maintained the Red Sea and Suez routes throughout 2025, regularly crossing the canal with 10,000 to 15,500 TEU verssels
CMA CGM’s partners, Cosco (with the AEM6 service), Evergreen (with the BEX2) and OOCL (with the AAS), co-load the service but do not provide additional tonnage.
Alphaliner is convinced: “Upcoming North Europe to Asia sailings will again be routed around Africa and via the Cape.”
Translation by Giles Foster
