Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced that maritime services AE19 and AE15 will now pass through the Suez Canal instead of rounding the Cape of Good Hope, following a thorough assessment of the security situation in the Red Sea region.
Uncertain Situation in the East-West Network
These changes are seen as targeted steps towards a gradual return to the Suez transit corridor, although they do not currently represent a broader return of the East-West network. Customers will be updated as soon as new information regarding passage through Suez is available, but the situation remains unpredictable, and all decisions will focus on the safety of personnel, assets, and customer cargo.
Impact of Severe Storms in East Asia
Elsewhere, the 2026 storm season in East Asia has seen above-normal activity, with several severe storms over a two-week period causing flooding, congestion, and delays in vessel operations across the region. These impacts are subsequently felt in the shipping industry and transport network, including in Europe. Our teams are working to support maximum flexibility in Asia-Europe scheduling and are actively working on solutions for customers.
Additionally, China's Golden Week in the first week of October is approaching, which traditionally causes disruptions in production scheduling and logistics operations due to reduced workforce and factory closures across the country. Maersk is striving to balance the Asia-Europe network during this period to minimize disruptions for customers.
Challenges at European Terminals
On the other hand, recent industrial actions at German terminals have increased existing operational pressure in Northern Europe, affecting connections through Hamburg, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven. Maersk will closely monitor the situation and inform customers of any changes in schedules and emergency measures to maintain cargo flow.
Congestion continues to impact key gateways in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, while strong demand and operational constraints are putting additional pressure on the capacity of several services. Customers are advised to make reservations as early as possible and provide accurate forecasts of cargo and documentation.
