Two carriers in The Ocean Alliance have taken a notable step toward reopening traditional routes from Europe to Asia, confirming that select Eastbound services will transit the Suez Canal and Red Sea.
Both CMA CGM and OOCL have recently confirmed vessel journeys eastbound, marking the most consequential progress toward route normalisation since Houthi attacks pushed global carriers to divert around the Cape of Good Hope nearly two years ago.
Although westbound sailings from Asia have not yet been confirmed for the shorter passage, reinstating just the eastbound leg is already creating operational gains. Avoiding the southern detour in one direction shortens round-trip schedules on these services by up to seven days.
CMA CGM initiated the shift last month, becoming the first major line to re-enter the Red Sea since the conflict intensified. Building on that precedent, the Ocean Alliance has now confirmed that its NEU4 service, departing from Southampton, will return to Asia via Suez—an indication of renewed confidence in both security conditions and transit reliability.
This move follows a major humanitarian development: 11 seafarers—Indian and Filipino nationals—were freed by Houthi forces after being held since a deadly July attack that claimed four lives and resulted in the loss of their ship. The surviving crew arrived safely in Oman last week and are now preparing for repatriation.
Most carriers remain cautious and are not yet ready to commit to full Red Sea transits. Still, these incremental steps suggest a gradual re-establishment of normal Asia–Europe trade lanes may be on the horizon in the coming months.