A broad return to the Suez Canal is unlikely in the near term despite recent moves by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to resume selected services through the waterway, according to global freight forwarder Kuehne+Nagel.
Restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and continued caution among ocean carriers meant most vessels were expected to continue sailing around the Cape of Good Hope rather than returning to the Red Sea route, Kuehne+Nagel chief executive Stefan Paul said.
"Nothing has changed fundamentally since the last couple of weeks," Paul said, adding that he doubted a wider return to the Suez Canal would happen in the near term.
The comments contrast with announcements earlier this month by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd that selected services would resume transits through the Suez Canal following security assessments of the Red Sea. Both carriers described the move as the first step in a gradual return to the route while stressing that further changes would depend on regional stability.
Most container shipping lines have diverted vessels around southern Africa since attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea began in late 2023, adding about 10 days to Asia-Europe voyages, increasing operating costs and tightening global shipping capacity. The Suez Canal normally handles about 12% of global trade.
Emergency fuel surcharges for airfreight, ocean freight and road transport were also expected to remain in place while the disruption continued, Paul said.
