Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, announced plans to resume navigation through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal as soon as conditions permit, CEO Vincent Clerc said on Tuesday. The company had diverted vessels around the southern tip of Africa since January 2024 following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants, who targeted ships in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Clerc highlighted that the ongoing peace process in Gaza has created safer conditions for shipping, particularly through the Bab al-Mandab strait, which links the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. Speaking at a joint press conference with Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie in Egypt, Clerc said, “Given the significant progress in both Gaza and Bab al-Mandab, Maersk will take steps to resume navigation around the East-West corridor via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, and normalize transit over time.”
The CEO emphasized that the safety of Maersk’s crew remains the top priority as the company gradually reinstates operations through the Red Sea. During the press conference, Maersk and the Suez Canal Authority signed a strategic partnership agreement, further cementing their collaboration on ensuring smooth and secure shipping through this crucial global trade route.
