CMA CGM Jacques Saade, one of the world’s largest container ships, has transited the Suez Canal for the first time in almost two years.
On 23 December, the mega container ship led a southbound convoy from Morocco to Malaysia, signalling the full capacity return of the French Group’s vessels.
The 400-metre-long vessel, operating on liquefied natural gas, can carry up to 23,000 TEUs.
The container ship Maersk Sebarok also transited through the Canal as part of the northbound convoy, along with CMA CGM Adonis.
The 6,500-TEU Maersk Sebarok transited through Bab el-Mandab strait on its voyage from Port of Salalah in Oman to the USA.
This marks the first time a container ship affiliated to Maersk Group has passed through the Canal since a strategic agreement was signed in November.
“The commencement of the return of major shipping lines is the culmination of the Suez Canal Authority’s intensive marketing efforts over the past period,” said Admiral Ossama Rabiee, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority.
He urged other shipping lines to adjust their schedules and resume their voyages from the Red Sea region and Bab el-Mandab strait through the Suez Canal.
Admiral Rabiee projected “a gradual improvement in Canal traffic” in 2026, with rates expected to return to normal in the second half of the year.
