Two of Maersk’s biggest vessels transited the Suez Canal on August 22, showcasing restored capacity, reduced transit times and a strategic shift back to the Red Sea corridor.
Historic Dual Transit on August 22
On Saturday, 22 August 2024, two of Maersk’s largest containerships – the Bangkok Maersk and the Mathilde Maersk – sailed together through the Suez Canal. This coordinated movement is part of Maersk’s broader strategy to restore vessels to the Suez‑Red Sea corridor, thereby improving freight efficiency for global trade lanes.
Vessels Leading the Convoy
The convoy entered the canal from the north with the 2015‑built Mathilde Maersk at the forefront. At 214,121 dwt, she belongs to the final series of the Triple E class, the largest capacity ships in Maersk’s fleet, offering a rated capacity of 19,076 TEU. Her voyage was bound for Colombo, continuing onward to the Far East.
Following closely was the newly‑commissioned Bangkok Maersk, also launched in 2015, with a deadweight of 181,648 dwt and a capacity of 17,480 TEU. This vessel is part of Maersk’s dual‑fuel class, capable of operating on methanol, underscoring the carrier’s commitment to greener propulsion. The Bangkok Maersk made its inaugural Suez transit, arriving from Italy and heading to Singapore.
Strategic Shift Back to the Suez‑Red Sea Corridor
Two weeks prior, Maersk announced, together with Hapag‑Lloyd, a decisive shift of several routes—including portions of the Gemini Cooperation—back to the traditional Suez‑Red Sea corridor. CEO Vincent Clerc highlighted that prevailing security and operational conditions now support the redeployment of more vessels, while the company will continue to monitor the situation closely. Industry analysts project that Maersk could have all its routes fully restored to the corridor by year‑end.
Impact on Transit Times and Canal Traffic
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) emphasized the tangible benefits of returning vessels to the canal. For Maersk’s ships, the restored route can shave up to 14 days off a journey compared with the alternative around South America. On the day of the dual transit, the SCA reported a total of 57 vessels passing through, amounting to 2.8 million net tons.
Competitive Landscape: MSC and CMA CGM
While Maersk is accelerating its return, other major carriers are also testing the waters. Last week, MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) quietly dispatched its first vessels back to Asia via the Suez, with seven dark ships (non‑transmitting) recorded in the canal’s AIS data.
The SCA also highlighted the growing traffic from French carrier CMA CGM. Since the start of 2024, CMA CGM has logged 199 vessel transits, totalling 25.2 million net tons. For comparison, the entire 2025 calendar year saw 212 CMA CGM vessels with a combined net tonnage of 18.8 million tons, indicating a robust recovery trend.
What This Means for Shippers in India
For Indian exporters and importers, especially those in the eastern corridor, the restored capacity translates into more reliable schedules, lower demurrage risk, and competitive freight rates. Oceanic Express LLP monitors these developments closely, ensuring our clients can leverage the shortened transit times for time‑critical cargoes destined for Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.
- Reduced transit time: up to 14 days saved per voyage.
- Lower fuel consumption and emissions for dual‑fuel vessels.
- Increased slot availability on Maersk’s high‑capacity ships.
- Enhanced predictability for Indian freight forwarders.
Our team at Oceanic Express LLP stands ready to advise on optimal routing, capacity booking, and compliance with the latest SCA regulations. By aligning with carriers like Maersk, we help our customers achieve faster market entry and cost efficiencies.
For detailed guidance on how the Suez Canal’s renewed traffic can benefit your supply chain, contact our logistics experts today.
Call to Action: Reach out to Oceanic Express LLP at +91‑9830041358 or +91‑9831034014 to discuss tailored freight solutions that capitalize on the restored Suez‑Red Sea corridor.