In a significant development with important economic and strategic implications, the Suez Canal witnessed an exceptional event today (Tuesday) with the return of giant container ships belonging to major international shipping lines for the first time in nearly two years. This return marks a new phase in restoring confidence in the world's most important waterway, as the CMA CGM Jacques Saadé transited as part of the northbound convoy and the Maersk Sebarok as part of the southbound convoy, after successfully passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Sea giants return to the historical path
The CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, an icon of modern maritime transport, dominated the scene, not only for its immense size but also for being powered by liquefied natural gas, making it environmentally friendly. The vessel, which sailed from Morocco to Malaysia, boasts enormous dimensions of 400 meters in length and 62 meters in width, with a massive cargo capacity of 23,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Experts indicate that the return of this class of vessel reflects the confidence of international companies in the new security measures implemented in the Red Sea.
In contrast, the Danish company Maersk made a strong appearance with the passage of its ship “Maersk Sebarok” coming from the Omani port of Salalah and heading to the United States, after a series of successful trials conducted by the company in mid-December to ensure the safety of the route.
Background of the crisis and its effects on global trade
To understand the significance of this event, one must consider the historical context of the crisis that began in November 2023, when maritime attacks in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea caused unprecedented disruption to global supply chains. This situation forced major shipping companies to make the difficult decision to reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, circumnavigating the African continent.
This forced diversion was not just a change in the shipping map, but caused huge economic burdens, as it added between 10 and 14 days to the journey time between Asia and Europe, leading to higher shipping costs, increased fuel consumption, delayed arrival of goods, as well as great pressure on alternative ports.
Economic recovery indicators for 2026
Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, affirmed that the current transit is not a fleeting event, but rather the culmination of intensive diplomatic and marketing efforts, as well as recently signed strategic partnerships to ensure the return of shipping lines. Data indicates a gradual recovery in 2025, with the number of transiting vessels increasing in the last quarter, and strong expectations that shipping traffic will return to normal levels by the second half of 2026.
This resumption is of particular importance to both the Egyptian and global economies. For Egypt, it means restoring a vital source of hard currency after losses estimated at billions of dollars during the crisis. Globally, the stability of navigation through the Suez Canal implies an anticipated decrease in shipping and marine insurance costs, which will contribute to curbing global inflation and improving the efficiency of supply chains, especially given the declining appeal of longer alternative routes due to fluctuating energy prices.
