In a major development for global ocean shipping, an Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV) has completed a Red Sea transit for the first time in almost two years.
The 17,859 TEU CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is currently en route eastbound to Asia, after its westbound voyage travelled around the Cape of Good Hope
Shortly after passing through the Suez Canal, the vessel’s AIS tracking signal was switched off for six days — a step widely viewed as a security measure to mitigate the risk of Houthi attacks. The ship’s transponder came back online on November 7th, as it transited the Gulf of Aden, by which time it had moved beyond the high-risk area.
Now crossing the Arabian Sea and entering the Laccadive Sea near Sri Lanka, the vessel is expected to reach Port Klang, Malaysia, on November 14th.
Its sister ship, the CMA CGM Zheng He, is also reported to have completed a Red Sea passage, while several further CMA CGM vessels are believed to be heading towards the region – including one currently sailing westbound from Asia to Europe.
The carrier’s decision to resume Red Sea transits signals a cautious but meaningful shift in routing strategy. Despite ongoing ceasefire discussions in Gaza, most major shipping lines have avoided the area since the surge in Houthi attacks in late 2023.
Whether CMA CGM’s move will encourage other operators to restore services along this vital Asia–Europe corridor remains to be seen. Global Freight Services continues to monitor the situation closely.