French container shipping company CMA CGM announced in a brief notification sent to its customers that it has decided to redirect some of its vessels through the Cape of Good Hope. This decision comes just a few weeks after the company resumed regular services through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea for the first time since late 2023.

In its statement, the company noted that operations would continue to be 'monitored closely and continuously,' while providing only the phrase 'complex and uncertain international context' as justification for the decision.

Affected Routes and Ongoing Services

The route change affects two services on the French Asia Line connecting Northern European ports to China and Asia, as well as the Mediterranean Club Express services between Asia and the Mediterranean.

The company stated that another route aimed at India would not be affected by this decision and would continue to transit through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

Step Back in the Industry's Reopening Process

CMA CGM made this decision during a period when carriers across the industry were taking steps to restart transits through the Red Sea corridor. The company had continued to make a limited number of transits under the European Union's Aspides Operation, which provided naval escorts during the ongoing conflicts in the region.

Most of the main routes had to navigate around Africa until some services were reopened this month. Competing shipping company Maersk announced last week that it planned to resume transits through the Suez Canal on a route between India and the East Coast of the United States.

Uncertainty Increases Amid Regional Tensions

Maritime Executive reported last week that the leader of the Houthis issued new threats. Although these threats were said to be directed not at shipping but at Israel's positions in Somaliland, they indicate a potential increase in regional instability.

Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and Iran remain high. As Iran battles increasing protests against domestic economic policies, the United States is repositioning the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group from Asia to the region.

Experts: Unpredictability for Shippers is Increasing

Destine Özüygur, Senior Market Analyst at logistics market data company Xeneta, described CMA CGM's decision as 'ironic.' Özüygur pointed out that CMA CGM, one of the major carriers most eager to return to the Red Sea, took a step back just a few days after Maersk announced it would resume Suez Canal transits, a company that generally adopts a more cautious approach.

Özüygur emphasized that this situation clearly illustrates the unpredictability faced by shippers, noting that sudden route changes could undermine planning reliability in supply chains.

According to Xeneta data, with the return of vessels to the Suez Canal, CMA CGM's total transit time on its Northern European routes decreased from 105 days to 98 days.

A New Blow for the Suez Canal

In the past, route changes have often been associated with direct threats or attacks. Major carriers like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd suspended their services two years ago after admitting that their vessels were targeted by the Houthis. Although the ships did not suffer significant damage, there was no industry-wide objection to these decisions, which were justified on the grounds of crew and vessel safety.

CMA CGM's recent move is also seen as a setback for the Suez Canal Authority, which aims to increase canal traffic again this year. The canal management has maintained contact with major carriers and emphasized that stability has been restored in the region following the ceasefire in Gaza.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye