Shipping companies Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd moved another major Asia–Europe container service through the Suez Canal, marking a further step in the gradual return of shipping to the route.
The AE19 service, operated jointly under the companies’ Gemini Cooperation, connects Asia, the Mediterranean, Saudi Arabia and Europe. It had previously been sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
The two carriers announced on Monday that the change would take effect immediately, beginning with the westbound voyage of the Berlin Maersk.
Hapag-Lloyd told Euronews that the AE19 switch is expected to save around four weeks compared with sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
Maersk said the decision followed an assessment of security conditions in the Red Sea. Hapag-Lloyd described it as a “targeted adjustment for one selected service, not a general network-wide return”.
