Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd resume vessel transits through Egypt’s Suez Canal

CAIRO – July 6, 2026: The two of the world's largest container shipping and integrated logistics companies A.P. Moller - Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd AG announced on Monday that the gradual resumption of vessel transits through Egypt's Suez Canal, replacing the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope.

In a joint statement, the companies added that the first vessel scheduled to resume the trans-Suez passage will be the Majestic Maersk.

"This joint decision with Hapag-Lloyd comes following thorough assessments of the security situation in the Red Sea area and marks a step towards a gradual return to the trans-Suez corridor,” the companies said.

The decision is expected to be closely monitored by the shipping, logistics, insurance, and trade sectors, as a broader return to the Suez Canal could significantly reduce transit times, lower operating costs, and improve the efficiency of global supply chains, they added.

“The Suez Canal is a vital maritime corridor between East and West and a key driver of efficient global supply chains. The route through the Suez and the Red Sea is the fastest, most sustainable and most efficient way to serve customers with transport between Asia and Europe,” they said.

During his speech at the inauguration of the Strategic Command Headquarters (Octagon) in the New Capital on July 4, 2026, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi revealed that Egypt has lost more than $10 billion in Suez Canal revenues due to attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The disruption has significantly reduced shipping traffic through one of the world's most strategic maritime corridors.

The Suez Canal is not just a global trade artery—it is also one of Egypt's most important sources of foreign currency and national income. The sustained decline in vessel transits highlights how geopolitical tensions can rapidly translate into substantial economic costs.