Danish shipping and logistics group A.P. Moller–Maersk is targeting the return of all its shipping services to the Suez Canal by March 2027, as the company gradually restores operations through the Red Sea corridor amid evolving regional security conditions.
The timeline emerged during a video conference between Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman and Managing Director Admiral Ossama Rabiee and Maersk Chief Operating Officer Rabab Boulos on October 20. Discussions focused on sailing schedules and measures to accelerate the return of additional Maersk services to the Egyptian waterway.
According to the SCA, Maersk-affiliated vessels completed 276 transits through the canal between January and September 2026, with a combined net tonnage of 23.3 million tonnes. This compares with 146 transits and 7 million tonnes during the corresponding period in 2025, reflecting a significant increase in activity.
Boulos expressed the company’s expectation that all its shipping services would return to the Suez Canal by March 2027, describing the route as the preferred option because of its strategic importance and established cooperation with the canal authority.
Maersk has already begun restoring selected services to the Suez route under its Gemini Cooperation network with Hapag-Lloyd. The AE15 and AE19 services have returned to the canal, while further service changes are being considered as the company updates its sailing schedules.
The Suez Canal provides the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe, helping vessels avoid the longer journey around the Cape of Good Hope. A broader return could reduce transit times, fuel consumption and operating costs while improving schedule efficiency and vessel utilisation.
However, the pace of the resumption will depend on the security situation in the Red Sea. Maersk has emphasised that decisions concerning its services will continue to prioritise the safety of crews, vessels and cargo.
The planned return is significant for global supply chains, as increased use of the Suez Canal could restore capacity and improve transit efficiency across major east-west shipping routes. It may also affect vessel availability, freight rates and schedule reliability as carriers adjust their networks.
The March 2027 timeline remains a target rather than a guaranteed deadline, with further operational decisions dependent on regional stability and ongoing assessments.