Maersk is restoring key shipping services through the Suez Canal, cutting transit times and boosting hopes for Egypt's economy and African trade. While security remains under close watch, the move signals growing confidence in one of the world's most important maritime routes.
By: Joseph James Udoh | Columnist | WBN NEWS Africa | July 13, 2026
The gradual return of global shipping through the Suez Canal is bringing renewed optimism to Egypt and the wider African economy as A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world's second-largest container shipping company, resumes key services through one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.
The Danish shipping giant has confirmed it will restore its Middle East-U.S. East Coast (MECL) service through the Suez Canal, only days after announcing the return of its jointly operated AE15 Asia-Europe service with Germany's Hapag-Lloyd. The move marks another milestone in the recovery of a trade route that was largely abandoned after attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea forced shipping companies to reroute around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.
By returning to the shorter Suez route, Maersk expects to reduce westbound transit times on the MECL service by an average of seven days, while eastbound voyages will be up to 14 days faster.
The company stated,
"By making the structural change of returning to the trans-Suez route for the MECL service, we will offer significant improved transit times."
The first westbound transit will be carried out by Maersk Denver, while Maersk Chicago will complete the first eastbound voyage. An additional eastbound call at Jeddah will also be introduced beginning in August.
The decision carries major economic significance for Egypt, where the Suez Canal remains one of the country's largest sources of foreign currency. Before the Red Sea crisis, the canal handled an estimated 12 to 15 percent of global trade. However, attacks near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait sharply reduced vessel traffic, causing canal revenues to fall from a record $10.25 billion in 2023 to approximately $4 billion in 2024.
For Africa, the return of major shipping lines could help ease freight costs, shorten delivery times, and improve supply chain reliability after months of costly diversions around southern Africa.
Despite the encouraging progress, Maersk stressed that safety remains its highest priority.
"The safety of crew, vessels, and customers' cargo remains the highest priority," the company said. "Should the security situation change... we have contingency plans in place."
As confidence slowly returns to one of the world's most strategic shipping routes, the reopening of the Suez Canal to major carriers offers renewed momentum for global commerce. If regional security continues to improve, Egypt and Africa stand to benefit from stronger trade, faster logistics, and fresh opportunities for economic growth.
WBN Global News Desk
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