Yang Ming

Shipping Arabia, October 4, 2026 – The Premier Alliance Suez Canal return is set to begin this month as ONE, HMM and Yang Ming restore their FE1 service between Southeast Asia and Northern Europe via the canal, adding further momentum to the container shipping sector’s gradual shift away from Cape of Good Hope diversions.

According to consultancy Linerlytica, the move will mark Premier Alliance’s first departure from the Cape routing it adopted in January. The first sailing is expected to be operated by the 8,110-TEU ONE Continuity, which is scheduled to depart Laem Chabang on October 17.

Premier Alliance had remained one of the more prominent holdouts from the Suez route while rival carriers gradually rebuilt services through the Red Sea. Its planned return now adds to the cumulative shift in container capacity back toward the canal.

Premier Alliance Suez Canal Return Follows Other Service Changes

The Gemini partners, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, are also increasing their use of the route. Hapag-Lloyd confirmed that its SE1 service will route the Umm Qarn toward Suez from Tanjung Pelepas on October 27.

That change follows earlier route adjustments involving the NE4, SE2 and IEX services, according to the report.

The scale of the broader return is becoming increasingly significant. Maritime Strategies International estimates that around 35% of Asia-Europe sailings are currently using the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, Linerlytica calculates that more than 140 containerships representing over 2 million TEU of capacity have returned to Suez Canal routes since May.

Security Remains Main Constraint on Faster Normalization

Despite the accelerating return, security conditions remain the principal obstacle to a faster normalization of Red Sea shipping, according to Linerlytica.

Demand for naval escorts through the southern Red Sea has risen to the point that the European Union’s Aspides mission has acknowledged that the available warships are insufficient to meet all escort requests.

This security constraint continues to affect the pace at which carriers can restore services through the region, even as a growing share of Asia-Europe sailings returns to the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

Suez Return Raises Container Capacity Concerns

The gradual restoration of Suez routings is also increasing attention on the amount of vessel capacity that could return to the market.

Cape of Good Hope diversions have helped absorb a substantial amount of containership capacity. Linerlytica said the containership orderbook has reached a record 15.6 million TEU, equivalent to more than 45% of the current fleet.

As more services return to the shorter Suez routing, some of the effective capacity absorbed by longer voyages could be released back into the market.

Freight markets are already showing early signs of pressure. Freightos reported that Asia-Northern Europe spot rates fell 9% in its latest weekly assessment to $3,376 per FEU.

Asia-Mediterranean spot rates declined 7% to $3,620 per FEU. Part of the weakness was attributed to the gradual resumption of Red Sea shipping, which is restoring effective vessel capacity.

MSI Flags Earnings Impact as Voyages Shorten

Maritime Strategies International has also warned that a resumption of Suez Canal transits could weigh on earnings because shorter routings reduce vessel demand.

However, its latest containership outlook continues to indicate strong charter markets through the first half of 2027, particularly for feeder and midsize vessels.

Congestion is currently absorbing part of the potential capacity surplus. Linerlytica estimates that 3.76 million TEU, equivalent to 10.9% of the global fleet, is currently affected by congestion.

Sea-Intelligence places the proportion at more than 8% and estimates that the disruption could take seven to 10 months to fully unwind.

The Premier Alliance Suez Canal return, alongside other service restorations, therefore comes as the container shipping market faces a combination of easing route diversions, significant new vessel capacity and persistent congestion.

Source: Al Mal News

Shipping Arabia, September 30, 2026 – Major shipping lines are increasing or considering a return to Suez Canal transits as more maritime services resume using the waterway, according to discussions between the Suez Canal Authority and representatives of 20 major shipping lines and shipping agencies.

Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, said flexible pricing policies and effective communication with customers have contributed to the return of a significant number of maritime services operated by major shipping lines. He also stressed that readiness and preparedness levels across the Canal’s operational system have been elevated, while navigation continues to proceed smoothly.

The meeting was held at the SCA’s headquarters in the Irshad Building in Ismailia. It was attended by senior Authority officials, including SCA deputy chairmen Admiral Ashraf Atwa and Admiral Ahmed Khaled, along with board members and senior officials.

Suez Canal Transits Increase Among Major Carriers

The meeting formed part of the SCA’s regular engagement with stakeholders across the maritime sector. These include international organizations, major shipping lines, international chambers of shipping, shipping agencies and other relevant entities.

Rabiee described shipping line and agency representatives as important partners and a key link in maintaining communication with major carriers. He said the SCA remains ready to discuss ways of supporting its customers and has continued modernizing its navigational and maritime services to meet vessel requirements under both normal and emergency conditions.

He also encouraged customers to provide feedback on the Authority’s new maritime and logistics services through evaluation channels available on the SCA website. The objective, he said, is to maintain high standards of service quality and operational efficiency.

CMA CGM Group in Egypt and Sudan CEO Tarek Zaghloul said the carrier has continued transiting the Suez Canal since Red Sea tensions began. He reported that 60 CMA CGM vessels passed through the Canal during September, reflecting the carrier’s continued use of the route.

A.P. Moller-Maersk Group Representative in the Middle East and North Africa Hany El Nady also highlighted an increase in the company’s Suez Canal activity. He said Maersk transits rose from eight vessels in September 2025 to 67 in September 2026 and expected yearly transits to reach 278 in the future.

Yang Ming, OOCL and COSCO Consider More Canal Traffic

Several other carriers indicated that they are considering renewed or increased Suez Canal transits.

Ashraf Sami, General Manager of Branches at Yang Ming, praised the SCA’s infrastructure development, modernization of its maritime fleet and efforts to improve workforce efficiency. He said Yang Ming is seriously considering returning to Suez Canal transits in the near future.

Abd El-Aziz Nabil, General Manager of maritime agency INCHCAPE, said OOCL intends to return to the Canal. He expected the carrier to conduct an experimental transit during October.

COSCO General Manager Hany El-Sallamy said the carrier is considering increasing its voyages through the Canal following a successful transit by one of its container ships a few days earlier. He added that three further COSCO vessels are scheduled to transit the Canal during the coming period.

Mohamed El-Alfy, General Manager of Gulf Agency Company, said the current period is showing positive signs as a number of maritime services operated by major shipping lines return. He also expressed expectations for higher traffic levels through the Canal in the coming period.

SCA Highlights Readiness and Crisis Monitoring

Rabiee emphasized the Canal’s operational readiness and said SCA pilots continue to demonstrate high levels of performance and preparedness.

He also addressed the impact of geopolitical challenges on the maritime industry. According to Rabiee, regional developments have affected the sustainability of global supply chains and contributed to higher fuel prices, freight rates and insurance premiums, increasing pressure on global maritime transport.

The SCA’s Crisis Management Center is monitoring regional developments around the clock and assessing their potential impact on Canal navigation. The Authority’s Economic Research Unit within the Planning Department is also evaluating these developments.

Participants discussed the regional situation and its effects on navigation schedules and operational plans. They also explored ways to strengthen future cooperation between the Authority, shipping lines and maritime agencies.

Shipping Agencies Back SCA Services and Shipyard Capabilities

Rear Admiral Ehab El Banan, Chairman of Clarkson Shipping Agency Company, praised the SCA’s approach of consulting shipping lines and maritime agencies and exchanging views with them. He said this cooperation supports the development of a shared vision and decisions that serve mutual interests.

El Banan also expressed hope for greater regional stability, which he said would support recovery and growth in Canal navigation. He described the Suez Canal as the shortest and most cost-effective maritime route.

Adel Ellameey, a member of parliament and Chairman of the Port Said Navigation Chamber, praised the Authority’s crisis management efforts and the quality of its services, particularly ship maintenance and repair. He proposed exploring an expansion of navigational services through cooperation between the SCA and private shipping agencies.

Ellameey also proposed that the Authority organize a global maritime conference bringing together major stakeholders from across the maritime community. The proposed event would also provide an opportunity to promote the SCA’s range of services.

Wassim Shukri, Director of the Canal region at maritime agency WILHELMSEN, praised the Authority’s efforts to upgrade services offered to transiting ships. He highlighted mooring, maintenance and repair services and referred to maintenance and repair work carried out on the vessel RED ZED at Suez Shipyard Co.

Wider Maritime Industry Participation

The meeting also included representatives of SPHINX, LETH, NOATUM MARITIME, ARKAS, FENMAR, MEDLEVANT, Damanhour Shipping Agency and Assiut Shipping Agency. Representatives from shipping lines ONE and EVERGREEN also participated.

The broad attendance formed part of the SCA’s ongoing engagement with shipping companies and maritime service providers as it seeks to maintain direct communication with Canal users.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Rabiee reiterated the Suez Canal’s readiness to deal with difficult situations and emergencies. He also stressed the Authority’s ability to meet customer expectations and operational requirements as shipping lines reassess their routing through the Canal.

Source: Suez Canal Authority

Shipping Arabia, September 22, 2026 – Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) became the largest container carrier operating through Damietta Port in 2025, handling 29.3% of the port’s container traffic as transshipment remained a major component of carrier volumes.

According to the latest Damietta Port Authority statistics, MSC handled approximately 375,800 TEUs, with transshipment accounting for 71.7% of its traffic through the port. The carrier had handled around 210,300 TEUs in 2024.

Yang Ming ranked second, accounting for 18.5% of Damietta’s container activity with approximately 236,800 TEUs. Unlike several other major carriers, foreign trade imports and exports represented 51.3% of Yang Ming’s traffic through the port.

Ocean Network Express (ONE) followed with a 9.4% share and approximately 120,000 TEUs, of which 61.9% was transshipment cargo. ONE had handled around 261,300 TEUs in 2024, when it accounted for 18.4% of the port’s container traffic.

Hapag-Lloyd recorded a particularly sharp shift, handling approximately 65,900 TEUs, equivalent to 5.1% of Damietta’s container activity, with transshipment representing 71% of its volume. In 2024, the carrier had handled around 454,700 TEUs and accounted for 32.1% of the port’s container traffic.

Other carriers serving Damietta included COSCO, CMA CGM, RCL and China Shipping.

Overall, Damietta received 1,007 containership calls in 2025, compared with 1,020 in 2024. Containerized cargo declined 6% to around 13.4 million tonnes, while throughput fell 10% to approximately 1.42 million TEUs, from 1.58 million TEUs a year earlier.

The figures highlight the importance of transshipment to Damietta’s container business, while also showing a significant redistribution of volumes among the major global carriers using the Egyptian Mediterranean gateway.

Source: Almal News

Shipping Arabia, September 20, 2026 – Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company is simultaneously handling four containerships involving 6,395 container moves, including two 368-meter Yang Ming mother vessels, highlighting the terminal’s capacity to manage large mainline ships alongside feeder operations.

The four vessels are being worked across the terminal’s container berths 1 to 6, which extend for a combined 1,450 meters.

Yang Ming’s YM Wellhead, measuring 368 meters with a draught of 15.8 meters, is alongside berths 1-2 for an operation involving 2,387 moves. Sister vessel YM Window, also 368 meters long and drawing 13.8 meters, is being handled at berths 2-3 with 2,386 moves.

The two mother vessels are operating alongside feeder services. Maersk’s 175-meter AS Sara is at berth 4 for 1,122 moves, while the 140-meter Jona Sophie, operated by United Feeder Services (UFS), is at berth 5 for a further 500 moves.

Together, the four operations represent 6,395 moves across the terminal, combining mainline and feeder activity within the same operational window.

Rear Adm. Dr. Rafik Galal, Executive Managing Director of Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company, said the dimensions of the vessels currently alongside remain below the terminal’s maximum operational capability.

The terminal has previously handled containerships approaching 400 meters in length with draughts of up to 16.10 meters, supported by berth development and deepening works and investment in additional ship-to-shore (STS) and rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.

Galal said the infrastructure and equipment programme is intended to improve handling efficiency and maintain the terminal’s ability to accommodate newer generations of ultra-large containerships.

The continued development forms part of Egypt’s wider port and logistics strategy, with Damietta strengthening its capacity to serve mainline and feeder networks in the Eastern Mediterranean and support growing transshipment activity.

Source: Damietta Container & Cargo Handling Company