Maersk Restores MECL Service to Suez Canal Route as Red Sea Transits Resume

Maersk said it will restore its MECL shipping service to the Suez Canal route via the Red Sea, marking another step in the company's gradual return to one of the world's busiest maritime corridors after months of disruptions.

The move follows the successful transit of the Majestic Maersk through the Red Sea and the earlier restructuring of the company's AE15 service, according to a statement released on Thursday.

Maersk said the revised routing will provide a faster and more efficient connection between India, the Middle East, and the U.S. East Coast, reducing westbound transit times by seven days and eastbound voyages by 14 days.

The company said the first westbound sailing through the Red Sea will be operated by Maersk Denver voyage 627W, while the first eastbound transit will be Maersk Chicago voyage 624E.

As part of the service update, Maersk will also introduce a new eastbound call at Jeddah starting in August. The revised eastbound rotation will include Charleston, Savannah, Houston, Norfolk, Newark, Tangier, Jeddah, Salalah, Mundra, Pipavav, and Nhava Sheva.

Despite the service restoration, Maersk said it will continue to closely monitor the security situation in the Middle East and has contingency plans in place should conditions require vessels to revert to the route around the Cape of Good Hope.