CMA CGM has resumed transits through the Suez Canal barely 10 days after suspending passage on the Red Sea route on 28 February 2026. The Asia-Med Phoenician Express (PHOEX/BEX2) service operated by CMA CGM with ships of 13,00-16,000 teu returned to the Suez on 11 March 2026 on both the eastbound and westbound voyages after just 1 ship was redirected to the Cape of Good Hope due to security situation in the Middle East. CMA CGM also announced the resumption of cargo bookings to the Middle East
MSC has started to redirect ships chartered from Israeli-linked owners from the Persian Gulf following the seizure of the 14,952 teu MSC ARIES by Iranian special forces on 13 April 2024. According to a statement from MSC on 17 April, the carrier is in discussions with Iranian authorities to secure the release of the 25 crew members on the MSC ARIES and for cargo on board the ship to be discharged. Several ships that were due to enter the Persian Gulf has already been redirected, with details a
The seizure of the 14,952 teu MSC ARIES by Iranian special forces on 13 April 2024 off Fujairah has placed heightened risks on Israeli-linked containerships trading in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the Israeli owned fleet accounts for less than 2% of all containerships in the Persian Gulf and their redeployment to other routes is not expected to cause significant disruptions to the trade, barring a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz if the Israeli conflict escalates. Out of over 500 contain