Suez Canal Authority Coordinates Return of Global Shipping Services

The Suez Canal Authority is coordinating with major global shipping firms to restore transit services after geopolitical disruptions impacted the waterway. The agency is working to accelerate the return of vessels to ensure the sustainability of global supply chains.

A.P. Moller-Maersk expects all its shipping services to return to the canal by March 2027. Data from the authority shows a recovery in volume, with Maersk-affiliated vessels completing 276 transits between January and September 2026, up from 146 transits during the same period in 2025.

Hapag-Lloyd currently operates two services between Asia and Europe via the canal. The company is monitoring maritime safety indicators in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to determine when to return further services. Hapag-Lloyd is also exploring cooperation with the Damietta Alliance Container Handling Terminal and the authority's Maritime Training and Simulation Academy.