Just days before it reports second-quarter earnings, Maersk has announced it will return another headhaul service to the full Suez Canal–Red Sea route, following a steep profit decline in the first quarter.

"We are pleased to share that Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are announcing a structural change to one of the Gemini services, the AE19 service," the Copenhagen-based liner stated in a customer advisory. "It will now sail via the trans-Suez route instead of transiting via the Cape of Good Hope. This change will take effect immediately, starting with Berlin Maersk's westbound route voyage 628W, and eastbound voyage 637E."

Maersk (OTC: AMKBY) said the decision was made jointly with Germany's Hapag-Lloyd, its partner in the global Gemini cooperation, the vessel-sharing alliance the two carriers launched in February 2025 to replace their prior separate partnerships. The return "comes following thorough assessments of the security situation in the Red Sea area, and marks a step towards a gradual return to the trans-Suez corridor."

The carrier's profit collapsed to $100 million from $1.2 billion in the first quarter due to lower rates. However, in June, Maersk upgraded its full-year guidance, citing stronger Far East demand and sustained spot-rate increases.

Since late 2023, Maersk and other major container carriers have diverted rotations away from the Red Sea and around Africa's southern tip after attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, who stated they were acting in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The Cape of Good Hope diversion adds roughly 10–14 days to Asia–Europe transit times, driving up fuel costs and absorbing vessel capacity across global fleets. While Houthi attacks have since become sporadic, the rebels — who control 40% of Yemen — have continued to issue threats following U.S. military action against Iran. The Houthis have recently renewed attacks on Saudi-linked shipping.

The AE15 Asia–Mediterranean–Europe Gemini service already uses the trans-Suez routing, and Maersk's standalone MECL Middle East–U.S. East Coast service is also shifting to Red Sea–Suez routing in August.

Among other carriers, CMA CGM has resumed certain Suez routings after prior pauses, including the EPIC westbound loop linking North Europe with the Indian subcontinent. Mediterranean Shipping Co. launched a Europe–Red Sea–Middle East express rotation in May, with calls at Abu Kir, King Abdullah, Jeddah, and Aqaba, though stopping short of a broad reversion to the Suez. Cosco (1919: HK) has offered weekly Red Sea sailings since March and planned its first Bab el-Mandeb passage in more than two years on the revived RES4 service in late July.

Maersk said it will implement the AE19 change beginning with the sailing of the Berlin Maersk (Voyage 628W), with the following port rotation: Xingang – Qingdao – Busan – Ningbo – Shanghai – Tanjung Pelepas – Jeddah – Suez Canal – Port Said – Port Tangier – Port Said – Suez Canal – Jeddah – Singapore – Xingang.

"The route through the Suez and the Red Sea is the fastest, most sustainable and most efficient way to serve customers with transport between Asia and Europe," the company said.

Source: FreightWaves