Chinese and Greek shipping companies have resumed services through the Suez Canal, which has seen a sharp decline in transits due to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
According to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence, dry bulk carriers and tankers linked to Greek interests have now recorded four consecutive quarters of increased transits through the Red Sea. At the same time, transits by Chinese-owned ships have also resumed, almost, to levels before the Houthi attacks, since November 2023.
A similar trend has been recorded in other countries as well.
For example, many ships bound for the United Kingdom that until recently chose the route from the Cape of Good Hope, have begun to return, albeit in small numbers, to Suez.
In recent weeks, isolated transits by ships linked to US interests have also been recorded, while 10 ships linked to Norway have chosen Suez. The Norwegian Maritime Authority’s guidance, which strongly advises ships to avoid transiting the area, remains unchanged, despite the end of direct attacks on ships.
While the majority of companies are still avoiding a full-scale return, part of the recent increase in overall transits has been driven by ships linked to countries that would previously have been considered high-risk. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, December saw the highest volume of container ship transits through Bab el-Mandab, measured in tonnage, since January 2024, as liners tested the passage with larger ships.
Maersk’s rerouting of its first mainline service through the Suez Canal last week initially sent a message that a return was now possible for the industry as a whole. But CMA CGM’s withdrawal of three Red Sea routes the same week has signaled otherwise, as shipping continues to face concerns about a full return.
The data
The Suez Canal is entering a phase of steady recovery, according to data from the Suez Canal Authority. According to them, the financial and operational data for the first half of the 2025/2026 financial year has recorded a clear improvement.
The increase in revenue by 18.5% during this period, combined with the increase in ship transits and net tonnage, reinforces the assessment that the Suez Canal is recovering, albeit gradually.
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