Another CMA CGM vessel heading for Suez Canal – ‘to mitigate schedule delay’

By Admin

22 May, 2025

The Suez Canal is witnessing a renewed interest from major shipping lines, thanks to a recent decision by the Suez Canal Authority to offer a 15% rebate on transit fees for containerships. This financial incentive appears to be working, as more box ships are now considering a return to the strategic Egyptian waterway — a move that could mark a significant shift in global shipping patterns.

Among the most prominent carriers eyeing a stronger return to the Suez Canal is the French shipping giant CMA CGM. New insights from leading liner database eeSea suggest that the carrier is not only actively evaluating this route but may also be increasing its transits — particularly on its Europe-Asia backhaul voyages.

CMA CGM Jules Verne Heads for the Suez

According to John Kingori, operations manager at eeSea, vessel scheduling data shows that the 16,000 TEU CMA CGM Jules Verne is slated to make a southbound Suez Canal transit on 21 June. This vessel is part of the Ocean Alliance’s Asia-Mediterranean MED2 service, and it has recently rounded the Cape of Good Hope, now en route to the Mediterranean.

The vessel’s upcoming schedule includes:

• Valencia on 4 June
  
  

• Barcelona
  
  

• Marseilles
  
  

• Marsaxlokk (Malta) on 17 June — CMA CGM’s central Mediterranean transshipment hub
  
  

• Jeddah (Saudi Red Sea port) on 24 June
  
  

• Final destination: Port Klang
  
  

Using the Suez Canal to Recover Lost Time

Mr. Kingori notes that “upon departure from Marsaxlokk, the vessel will have accumulated a 15-day delay.” However, by transiting the Suez Canal, the Jules Verne is expected to reduce this delay to approximately six days by the time it reaches Port Klang.

This route decision demonstrates a clear strategic use of the Suez Canal to mitigate schedule delays — a critical factor in today’s highly competitive and disruption-prone shipping industry.

Security Measures Still in Place

Since the onset of the Houthi attacks in early 2024, CMA CGM Jules Verne has transited the Red Sea at least five times, sometimes under escort from the French navy. To further enhance security, the carrier has employed risk-reduction strategies, including disabling AIS transponders (a process known as “going dark”) to avoid detection in high-risk zones.

A Pattern of Eastbound Preference via Suez

Kingori also reveals that CMA CGM appears to be using the Suez Canal exclusively for eastbound, Asia-bound backhaul voyages, while continuing to use the Cape of Good Hope route for westbound headhaul journeys. This pattern reflects a nuanced balancing act between operational efficiency and security considerations.

MED5/BEX2 Service Also Follows Suit

In addition to the MED2 service, eeSea data indicates that CMA CGM’s Asia-Mediterranean MED5 service (referred to as BEX2 by the carrier) also consistently uses the Red Sea route. All 12 vessels on this string are operated by CMA CGM.

“CMA CGM remains one of the major container shipping lines demonstrating the operational confidence to route vessels through the Suez corridor,” Kingori emphasized. “Similar to the CMA CGM Jules Verne, vessels on the BEX2 service have also been going dark, suspending AIS transmissions during transit through the high-risk zone.”

Final Thoughts

As CMA CGM continues to chart a strategic return to the Suez Canal, bolstered by financial incentives and carefully calculated risk mitigation, it sends a clear message to the industry: navigating through security threats is possible when paired with strong operational planning. The ongoing efforts to optimize schedules and reduce delays via the Suez could potentially encourage other carriers to reevaluate the viability of this critical maritime shortcut.