Suez Canal traffic has climbed to its highest level in more than two years, with nearly 1,090 vessel transits — equivalent to 88.6 million dwt — recorded over the past four weeks as major carriers accelerate their return to the route. CMA CGM alone has pushed 199 vessels through the canal since the start of 2026 and says it plans to expand services further after talks between SCA chairman Osama Rabie and the carrier’s operations chief on August 18.
Maersk confirmed on August 13 that roughly a third of its normal canal and Red Sea traffic — four of 13 services — has resumed the route, as confidence slowly returns following years of Houthi-driven diversions around the Cape of Good Hope. The Suez Canal Authority reported revenues of $4.67 billion for the 2025/26 fiscal year, up 23% year-on-year, with tanker traffic rerouted by the Strait of Hormuz closure providing an unexpected boost to second-quarter income.
Source: Lloyd’s List Intelligence — https://www.lloydslistintelligence.com/resources/blog/red-sea-brief-20-august-2026
