Recently, Maersk has announced its decision to resume the MECL route through the Suez Canal. Previous coverage: "Resuming Suez Canal Operations! Maersk Announces Eastbound and Westbound Sailing Schedules"
It is reported that the "Gemini Cooperation", jointly established by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, is planning to resume its Red Sea and Suez Canal routes.
It is known that the ME11 route under the Gemini Alliance will also resume traffic through the Suez Canal. This route has deployed a total of 12 large container ships with an average capacity of approximately 16,000 TEUs.
The ME11 route is similar to the MECL route operated by Maersk to the east coast of the United States. It stops at Jaber Port and Saleh Port in the Middle East, and at Mundra Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port on the west coast of India. Then it circumvents the Cape of Good Hope and heads towards Tangier Port, Valencia Port and Sidi Port in the Mediterranean Sea.
Some industry analysts have pointed out that the shipping routes connecting the Middle East, India and the Mediterranean region will be among the first to resume services through the Red Sea passage.
In response, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd stated: "Within the framework of the alliance cooperation, both parties have been continuously discussing the appropriate timing for restoring the Suez Canal route network. This is a normal operational assessment process."
Meanwhile, both shipping companies also stated, "Any changes to the shipping routes will be based on the principle of minimizing the disruption to customers to the greatest extent possible, and will continue to maintain the industry's leading standard of shipping schedule reliability."
Please note to all shippers and freight forwarders: Keep abreast of the shipping company's route adjustments. Before shipment, please check the latest shipping schedules and freight rates, and make a detailed shipping plan in advance.