The Suez Canal Authority confirmed on Tuesday that the “CMA CGM Jacques Saade” and “CMA CGM Adonis,” vessels belonging to CMA CGM—the world's third-largest shipping company—have transited the canal northbound and southbound, respectively. The former is en route from Morocco to Malaysia, while the latter is operating on the Asia-Mediterranean route.

Since November 2023, frequent attacks on merchant vessels by Yemen's Houthi rebels—citing support for Palestine—forced most shipping companies to reroute around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, significantly extending voyages and costs. However, following the October 10 ceasefire agreement in Gaza, no further attacks have been reported in the Red Sea region, offering a glimmer of hope for route restoration.

Despite this, the industry remains highly cautious. While Danish shipping giant Maersk had one vessel pass through the Strait of Mandeb last week, it emphasized a “step-by-step approach” with no plans for full resumption yet. For Egypt, the Suez Canal is a vital source of foreign exchange, making any return of shipping traffic highly significant.

CMA CGM's website indicates it will deploy its INDAMEX India-America service through the canal in January next year, signaling preliminary confidence in the region's security situation. However, whether this truly marks a turning point for Red Sea shipping remains contingent on the ongoing evolution of the geopolitical landscape. After all, in high-risk waters, a single period of calm does not guarantee long-term stability.