Is CMA CGM strategically assessing the viability of reinstating a second service through the Suez Canal corridor? Here is a quick dive in what our analysts have observed. Our research team has identified that the vessel CMA CGM JULES VERNE is scheduled for Suez Canal transit on June 21, 2025, followed by an inducement call at Jeddah.
This operational decision possibly demonstrates a pattern of calculated risk assessment by the carrier. In February 2024, CMA CGM JULES VERNE traversed the Suez Canal with French naval protection, as confirmed by the carrier thereafter. Our vessel tracking data indicates the JULES VERNE has completed at least four additional Suez transits since then, predominantly characterized by periodic AIS transponder deactivation during passage. Analysis of sailing patterns reveals the vessel consistently utilizes the Suez route exclusively for Asia-bound backhaul voyages, while maintaining Cape of Good Hope routing for westbound headhaul movements.
The vessel is currently en route to Europe with an anticipated arrival in Valencia on June 4, 2025. Our analysis at eeSea projects that upon departure from Marsaxlokk, the vessel will have accumulated a 15-day delay. By leveraging the shorter Suez Canal passage, this delay is projected to be reduced to approximately six days by the time the vessel calls Port Klang, suggesting that the carrier might be leveraging the shorter transit to mitigate schedule delays.
CMA CGM remains one of the major container shipping lines demonstrating the operational confidence to route vessels through the Suez corridor, with its CMA - BEX2 service consistently traversing this passage despite persistent security concerns. Similar to the JULES VERNE, vessels deployed on the BEX2 service have also been going dark, suspending AIS transmissions during transit through the high-risk zone.
Recent diplomatic efforts have resulted in the United States brokering a ceasefire agreement with Houthi forces in Yemen, intended to restore commercial shipping through this critical maritime corridor. However, ocean carriers have demonstrated considerable caution in returning to Suez routing, predominantly maintaining the extended Cape routing around Africa. The situation has been further complicated by today's announcement from Houthi authorities declaring a "blockade" of Haifa port, effectively prohibiting vessel operations at Israel's primary maritime gateway. Our Inbound vessels data indicates that Haifa is scheduled to receive not less than 85 vessels in the next 30 days. This development introduces additional complexity to an already precarious geopolitical environment.
Based on current intelligence, eeSea's assessment indicates that most carriers will continue to utilize the extended Cape routing despite the implemented ceasefire agreement.
The CMA CGM JULES VERNE case exemplifies the intricate operational challenges facing maritime logistics in volatile geopolitical contexts. Currently assigned to the 15-vessel MEX service rotation, our analysis indicates this vessel appears to be the only one to be selectively rerouted through the Suez Canal. While this demonstrates CMA CGM's adaptive operational capabilities, it raises significant questions regarding scheduling reliability versus routing flexibility, a critical consideration for supply chain stakeholders navigating this complex environment.