Shipping Giant CMA CGM Gears Up for Suez Canal Route Revival

Maritime traffic regains momentum compared to air traffic. The ceasefire between Israel and the Jamahiriya has made the Suez Canal a safe passage for cargo ships, at least according to the port authority. Following Maersk’s recent announcement on November 26th, it is now the French shipping company CMA CGM that has announced the reactivation of its commercial routes through this strategic passage.

The Red Sea crisis had triggered the demand for air freight, a trend that is beginning to slow down with the latest movements of shipping companies, which are once again operating in the Red Sea to access the Suez Canal on their cargo routes between Europe and Asia.

France’s CMA CGM had been the only major shipping line to make regular transits through the Suez Canal since the Red Sea crisis began in late 2023. According to data from shipping research firm Alphaliner, the carrier moved nearly 1.5 million 20-foot containers (TEUs) through the Suez Canal in 2025, the highest figure among shipping lines.

CMA CGM had been the only major shipping line to make regular transits through the Suez Canal

After successfully testing four vessels through the canal in November, CMA CGM will divert sailings on its FAL1 route back through the Egyptian canal starting in early January. This service line connects northern European ports such as Southampton (UK) and Le Havre (France) with ports in China, such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, as well as Singapore.

The company, a partner of the Ocean Alliance - Orient Overseas Container Line, confirmed the reactivation of its routes through the Red Sea as of January 5th, 2026 in a notice to its customers last Wednesday. The FAL 1 route has 14 CMA CGM vessels that took 105 days to complete the route around the Cape of Good Hope. With the resumption of traffic through the Suez Canal, a time saving of 7 days is estimated.

The chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, Osama Rabie, has maintained that the canal is “fully prepared” to receive vessels and return to normal service levels following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, despite the fact that, according to local media, it has been repeatedly violated.