Containership traffic through the Suez Canal is beginning to edge higher after more than a year of disruption caused by Red Sea security risks.
In the week ending January 11, 26 containerships transited the canal, the highest weekly total in over a month, according to Drewry’s Red Sea Diversion Tracker. While still far below normal levels, the increase suggests that some global carriers are cautiously reassessing the route.
The rebound follows just 10 transits the previous week, when post-holiday slowdowns kept volumes low. This time, however, larger vessels were involved. Drewry said CMA CGM, APL and MSC sent five ships above 8,000 TEU through Suez, up from two a week earlier.
Before the crisis, the canal typically handled around 80 containerships a week, carrying about 12% of the Asia–Europe trade. Traffic collapsed after Houthi attacks on commercial shipping began in October 2023, forcing carriers to divert around the Cape of Good Hope.
Some major operators are now testing a return. Maersk completed its second Red Sea transit on January 11–12, following its first passage in December. CMA CGM has moved faster, recently sending its 23,000-TEU CMA CGM Jacques Saade through the canal.
Despite these steps, caution remains widespread. Drewry recorded 203 container ship voyages around the Cape in the same week, showing that most carriers still prefer the longer but safer route.
For now, each Suez transit is a careful trial, a sign of tentative confidence, not a full return.
