Shipping giant Maersk has informed clients of temporary changes to two major services, according to a report from The Maritime Executive. The company is rerouting some upcoming sailings from the Suez Canal and Red Sea corridor to the longer Cape of Good Hope passage around Africa.

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The adjustments affect the next three eastbound and westbound voyages on its independent MECL service, which links Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to the U.S. East Coast. Sailings through the middle of March will now take the Cape of Good Hope route. Maersk stated it continues to view the Trans-Suez path as the fastest and most efficient option for customers.

Additionally, the next three westbound and four eastbound voyages for its ME11 service, operated in partnership with Hapag-Lloyd under the Gemini Cooperation, will also divert. This service connects India and the Middle East to the Mediterranean. Maersk described the moves as temporary, citing unforeseen constraints in the operating environment, and is providing several weeks of notice for supply chain adjustments.

This reversal follows a recent test of the Suez route, with the first eastbound transit for the ME11 service occurring just over two weeks prior. The company had previously indicated that the return to using the Suez Canal depended on regional security and naval assistance for safe passage. It emphasized that service stability remains contingent on the absence of escalation in the area.

Separately, the European Council has extended its regional naval protection mission, Operation Aspides, for an additional year. The mission, however, operates with a reduced budget and a limited number of warships available for escort duties. Other shipping lines have previously noted delays in obtaining such protective support for transits.

Efforts to demonstrate stability in the region have been ongoing. While no merchant ship attacks have been reported since last September, regional tensions persist, including a heightened U.S. naval presence and diplomatic warnings.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform