Major ocean carriers are expanding their use of the Suez Canal and Red Sea corridor on selected Asia–Europe services, marking a further move away from the longer diversion around the Cape of Good Hope.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have confirmed that four additional Gemini Cooperation services will transition to trans-Suez routing. These are Maersk’s AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 services, known respectively as NE4, SE2, SE1 and IEX within Hapag-Lloyd’s network.
The services join AE15 and AE19, which had already moved to Suez routing, as the Gemini Cooperation continues a gradual and closely monitored return to the corridor.
For importers and exporters moving goods between Asia and Europe, the changes will provide more efficient transit times on affected services compared with routing around southern Africa. However, the return remains selective, and routing continues to vary depending on the carrier, service and direction of travel.
AE5 Returns to the Suez Canal
Of particular relevance to UK importers is the AE5 Asia–Northern Europe service, known as NE4 within Hapag-Lloyd’s network.
Under its revised rotation, the service will operate:
Qingdao – Ningbo – Tanjung Pelepas – Suez Canal – London Gateway – Bremerhaven – Hamburg – Rotterdam – Algeciras – Suez Canal – Tanjung Pelepas
The first westbound sailing under the revised routing is the Marchen Maersk, voyage 635W, departing Tanjung Pelepas on 21 September 2026.
The first eastbound sailing is the Maastricht Maersk, voyage 637E, scheduled to depart Algeciras on 22 September 2026.
By transiting the Suez Canal rather than sailing around southern Africa, vessels use a more direct route between Asia and Europe.
Further Gemini Services Moving Back to Suez
The change extends beyond the AE5. The AE11, connecting Asia and the Mediterranean, and the ME2, connecting India and Europe, are also transitioning to Suez routing.
The AE12 Asia–Mediterranean service will make the same structural change, although Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have said its first sailing under the revised routing will be announced at a later stage.
Maersk says the move to the trans-Suez corridor will provide more efficient transit times for customers.
CMA CGM Expands Suez Canal Use
CMA CGM and its OCEAN Alliance partners are also expanding their use of the corridor.
From mid-September, the FAL2 and FAL5 services are using the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb Strait on eastbound voyages from Northern Europe to Asia.
Their westbound voyages from Asia to Europe currently continue to sail around the Cape of Good Hope.
CMA CGM says Suez Canal crossings are now being used on most of its eastbound FAL services, including FAL2, FAL3, FAL5 and OCR, while FAL6 and FAL8 continue to sail via the Cape of Good Hope.
This highlights the importance of checking individual services and directions rather than assuming that an entire carrier network has returned to the Suez route.
What Does This Mean for Customers?
The gradual return to Suez is an important development for Asia–Europe supply chains.
Routing via the canal provides a more direct connection between Asia and Europe than sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, allowing carriers to offer more efficient transit times on services making the switch.
However, this is not yet a complete market-wide return to Suez routing.
Some services continue to use the Cape of Good Hope, while others are currently using Suez in only one direction. Carrier decisions also remain dependent on security conditions in the Red Sea and wider Middle East.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have said they will continue to monitor the security situation closely and that changes to Gemini services remain dependent on continued stability in the Red Sea region.
Planning Asia–Europe Shipments
With carrier networks continuing to evolve, businesses shipping between Asia and Europe should check the routing being used for individual services when planning upcoming shipments.
Beckchoice is continuing to monitor carrier schedules and developments across the Suez Canal and Red Sea.
If you have upcoming cargo moving between China, Asia and the UK or Europe, speak to our team for the latest information on routing, schedules and available ocean freight options.
Official sources
Maersk – Structural changes to AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 Gemini services
Hapag-Lloyd – NE4, SE1, SE2 and IEX routing update
CMA CGM – FAL2 & FAL5 Suez Canal transit update
Information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to change. Vessel schedules, routing and transit times can change at short notice depending on operational and security conditions.