The following release was published by Maersk:
We are pleased to inform you that the Maersk MECL service will make a structural return to the Trans-Suez route.
This decision follows a continued stabilisation of conditions in and around the Red Sea, including the Suez corridor, as well as improved stability and reliability in the region, allowing us to return to the service pattern originally designed to provide our customers with the most efficient transit times. The MECL service is solely operated by Maersk, and connects the Middle East and India with the US East Coast.
Maersk will continue to monitor the security situation in the region very closely, and any alteration to the MECL service will remain dependent on the ongoing stability in the Red Sea area and the absence of any escalation in regional conflict. The safety of crew, assets, and customers’ cargo remains the highest priority. Maersk has contingency plans in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual MECL sailings or the wider structural change of the MECL service back to the Cape of Good Hope route.
Returning to our original service pattern Maersk is implementing a structural return to the trans-Suez route for all vessels on the Maersk MECL service.
From Cornelia Maersk voyage 603W, departing Jebel Ali on 15 January 2026, the MECL service will operate via the westbound Trans-Suez route. The Maersk Detroit voyage 602E, departing North Charleston on 10 January 2026, will be the first eastbound sailing to use the Trans-Suez route, with all subsequent sailings following this routing.
What this will mean for you and your cargo on MECL services The Trans-Suez route is the fastest and most efficient route for MECL, and you will benefit from a transit time that is one week faster, expected from Maersk Kensington voyage 607W (Westbound) and onwards, and on Eastbound sailings from the Maersk Detroit voyage 602E and onwards.
In order to offer more sufficient time for you to adjust your supply chains and your logistics planning, sailings prior to the Maersk Kensington and the Maersk Detroit will not see any changes in transit times.
Additional changes to our global network At this point in time, Maersk does not have any additional structural changes to announce to its East-West network. Should the situation evolve, we will communicate promptly and transparently.
Source: Maersk