Two CMA CGM vessels have successfully navigated the Suez Canal, indicating a potential easing of disruptions from the Gaza conflict. Since November 2023, shipping companies had been avoiding the canal due to Houthi militant attacks. With a fragile ceasefire in place, shipping operations are gradually returning to normal.
Danish shipping giant Maersk announced that its vessel, Maersk Sebarok, successfully navigated the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the first time in nearly two years. While no immediate plans for full route reopening exist, Maersk aims for a gradual resumption of navigation through these vital trade passages.
A Filipino seafarer tragically lost his life during a Houthi attack on the freighter Minervagracht. Reports revealed he was unaware of his right to disembark before entering a dangerous zone. The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers emphasized that maritime regulations protect seafarers from being sent into war zones without consent.
The cruise ship Aroya, part of the Cruise Saudi initiative, recently made a significant transit of the Suez Canal, a rare feat for passenger vessels. Carrying approximately 2,300 passengers and 1,500 crew, it is set to visit Sharm El-Sheikh before concluding its journey in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Suez Canal has resumed operations for mega vessels, welcoming the CMA CGM Osiris, which has a capacity of 15,536 TEU. This historic transit marks a turning point, as the canal introduces a 15% rebate to boost traffic. The return of large ships promises to revitalize global shipping operations.
The damaged tanker Sounion, attacked by the Houthis off Yemen, successfully transited the Suez Canal. The operation, managed by Ambrey and Mega Tugs, offloaded 150,000 tons of crude oil in Greece. The Canal Authority oversaw the complex operation, highlighting the challenges of towing the heavily damaged vessel without steering control.
The Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Chrysalis, previously targeted by Yemen’s Houthis, successfully passed through the Red Sea this week, per the Suez Canal. This voyage, following the militia’s ceasefire announcement, signals a return to normalcy for shipping companies. Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority views the Chrysalis’ transit as a step towards regional stability.
