Maersk Suez Canal Transits Rise to 67 So Far in September From 8 a Year Earlier
Maersk ships had made 67 transits of the Suez Canal so far in September, up from 8 in September 2025, the group’s regional representative told a meeting at the Suez Canal Authority, according to the authority’s release on 23 September. He expected the line’s yearly transits to reach 278 in the future. Admiral Ossama Rabiee, the authority’s chairman, met representatives of 20 major shipping lines and agencies in Ismailia, and said flexible policies and effective communication with clients had brought a significant number of maritime services back to the canal.
| Shipping line | What was told to the meeting |
|---|---|
| Maersk | 67 transits so far in September against 8 a year earlier; yearly transits expected to reach 278 |
| CMA CGM | Kept transiting throughout, with 60 vessels so far in September |
| COSCO | One container ship transited days ago; 3 more scheduled; considering more voyages |
| OOCL | Intends to return, with a trial transit expected in October, per its agent Inchcape |
| Yang Ming | Seriously considering a return in the near future |
Suez Canal Authority release, 23 September 2026. Figures as stated by company and agency representatives.
Lines signal more traffic ahead
On our calculation, Maersk’s September transits so far are more than eight times the level of a year earlier. The general manager of Gulf Agency Company said the return of services by major lines was drawing positive reactions and that he expected traffic through the canal to increase. The chairman of the Port Said Navigation Chamber praised the authority’s ship maintenance and repair services, agency representatives praised the modernisation of its fleet and shipyards, and a global maritime conference was proposed.
August revenue of 567.1 million dollars
The authority’s figures for August, reported by The Edge on 21 September, showed canal revenue of 567.1 million dollars. The chairman said the authority’s crisis management centre monitors regional developments around the clock through its economic research unit.
Why it matters: On our reading, rising transits by Maersk and CMA CGM, with COSCO, OOCL and Yang Ming weighing more voyages or a return, point to a gradual return of major container lines to the canal.
Outlook: OOCL’s trial transit in October and COSCO’s three scheduled sailings are the next markers of the lines’ return.
Sources: Suez Canal Authority, The Edge.
