Selected Asia–Europe services return to Suez Canal routing

Major ocean carriers are beginning to return selected Asia–Europe services to the Suez Canal and Red Sea corridor, following an extended period of routing vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have confirmed that additional services, including the AE5 Asia–Northern Europe service, will transition back to Suez routing. CMA CGM has also increased its use of the canal on selected Asia–Europe services.

For customers moving goods between Asia and Europe, the change could mean shorter transit times on affected services, as vessels avoid the longer routing around southern Africa.

This is not yet a complete market-wide return to the Suez Canal. Routing continues to vary by carrier, service and direction, and remains subject to security conditions in the Red Sea and wider region. Further changes may therefore be made at short notice.

Woodland Group is monitoring carrier schedules and routing developments closely. If you have upcoming Asia–Europe shipments, speak to our Ocean Freight team for the latest routing, transit times and available options.