Maersk reroutes some sailings amid Red Sea constraints

Danish shipping giant Maersk made the decision to reroute some of its upcoming sailings on the ME11 and MECL services from Trans Suez to Cape of Good Hope.

The Danish carrier said, “unforeseen constraints arising from the wider operating environment in the Red Sea region” are making it “challenging to avoid delays in regard to passage through the area.”

Therefore, Maersk has made the decision – after conversations with its security partners – to reroute some of its upcoming sailings on the ME11 (Middle East/India to Mediterranean) and MECL (Middle East/India to East Coast US) services.

Maersk stressed that this is a temporary adjustment made due to the “unforeseen constraints” in the region.

“We have shared this information with you with the goal of allowing you to have as much time as possible to adjust your logistics moves and insurance, if necessary,” the company told customers, promising that it will continue providing updates on the situation.

On all additional MECL and ME11 sailings, Maersk continues to prioritise the Trans-Suez route for these services, the company said.

The carrier said it would “continue to keep you updated on the situation” and encouraged customers with questions to reach out to their local Maersk representative.

The move follows the company’s recent plans to gradually restore services to the route, which was disrupted the last years by attacks on ships in the area.

During times of continuous uncertainty and geopolitical instability, Maersk is, just like many carriers in the same situation, working to identify ways to support businesses to carry on with their strategies for 2026.

Last month, two container shipping giants – Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd – said they will change the routing of one of their shared services under the Gemini Cooperation to transit through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, marking a limited return to the route. The service in scope is the IMX service, which connects India and the Middle East with the Mediterranean.

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd launched their operational collaboration “Gemini Cooperation” on February 1, 2025. The cooperation’s network covers 29 shared mainliner and 29 shared shuttle services on East-West trade routes.