The shipping landscape across the Red Sea has witnessed notable divergence recently. Following security assessments, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd under the Gemini Alliance have resumed operations via the Red Sea and Suez Canal on their AE15 Asia-Europe & Mediterranean service, offering customers an option with shorter transit time.

It should be noted that the resumption only applies to the single AE15 service. Most other main Asia-Europe services operated by the two carriers remain unchanged, with diversion plans via the Cape of Good Hope still in place. The carriers state they will closely monitor security conditions in the Red Sea. Should geopolitical tensions escalate again, they will activate contingency measures and resume large-scale diversions immediately.

Vessels diverted via the Cape of Good Hope face an additional transit duration of 12–18 days one way, which directly impacts cargo delivery schedules, fuel consumption and overall logistics costs.

Meanwhile, cost pressures continue to mount. The Suez Canal Authority’s revised transit surcharges took effect on 15 July. The partial reopening of the route together with higher canal fees jointly push up comprehensive transportation costs on Asia-Europe lanes, leaving freight rates and surcharges exposed to continuous volatility.