Evergreen Returns to Suez Canal as 16,556-TEU EVER EON Makes First Transit

Shipping Arabia, November 10, 2026 – Evergreen has resumed transits through the Suez Canal after a suspension lasting nearly three years following the onset of the Red Sea crisis. The development marks another step in the return of major container shipping services to the strategic maritime corridor connecting Europe and Asia.

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) confirmed that the 16,556-TEU container ship EVER EON made its first transit of the Canal on November 8, during a voyage from the Netherlands to Singapore.

Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, announced Evergreen’s return and described it as a positive indicator of the recovery of East–West maritime trade.

Rabiee also confirmed that Evergreen intends to resume additional voyages through the Suez Canal in the coming period. The announcement follows a prolonged suspension of nearly three years since the outbreak of the Red Sea crisis.

Evergreen Returns to Suez Canal Through Ocean Alliance Service

The EVER EON is a large container vessel operated by Evergreen, with a nominal carrying capacity of 16,556 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).

The vessel measures 369 meters in length and 53.6 meters in beam, with a gross tonnage of approximately 185,000 GT.

According to the SCA, EVER EON currently operates on the NEU 7 service within the Ocean Alliance network. The service provides direct connections between major ports along the Far East–Northwest Europe trade route.

The vessel’s transit represents Evergreen’s return to the Canal following the extended disruption to shipping operations caused by the Red Sea crisis.

Rabiee emphasized that the resumption of Evergreen’s Suez Canal transits is a positive development for international maritime trade. He linked the carrier’s return to the gradual restoration of commercial shipping movements between Eastern and Western markets.

The SCA Chairman further indicated that Evergreen plans to undertake additional Canal transits during the coming period, signaling the carrier’s intention to increase its use of the waterway.

Major Container Shipping Lines Resume Suez Canal Services

Evergreen’s return comes as the Suez Canal Authority continues efforts to restore maritime services operated by major international shipping lines on the Europe–Asia trade route.

According to Rabiee, the Canal has successfully attracted the return of several maritime services affiliated with leading container carriers, including CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO and Evergreen.

These developments reflect the gradual restoration of shipping activity through the Canal following the disruptions associated with the Red Sea crisis.

Rabiee stressed that the return of these services demonstrates the continuing strategic importance of the Suez Canal as a principal maritime route linking East and West.

The SCA considers the resumption of operations by major shipping lines an encouraging indicator for the recovery of international maritime traffic through the waterway.

Suez Canal Authority Welcomes EVER EON on Inaugural Transit

To mark the EVER EON’s first passage through the Suez Canal, the SCA organized an official welcome in accordance with its established protocol for vessels making their inaugural transit.

Admiral Rabiee delegated four senior SCA pilots from the Port Said and Ismailia sectors to board the vessel and welcome its crew.

The Port Said sector was represented by Captain Mahmoud Abu Ajila and Captain Yazid Yahia, while Captain Elhamy El-Bably and Captain Nader Nagy represented the Ismailia sector.

During the visit, the SCA representatives welcomed the vessel’s crew and presented a commemorative gift to the ship’s master to mark the occasion.

The ceremonial welcome accompanied a significant operational development for the Canal, as Evergreen resumed using the Egyptian waterway following nearly three years of disruption.

With additional Evergreen voyages expected in the coming period, the SCA views the carrier’s return as part of the wider recovery of shipping services connecting Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.

Source: Suez Canal Authority