Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd Reroute India-Europe ME1 Service via Suez Canal

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will send their joint India-Europe container service back through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Ships on the service have been sailing the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope. The carriers announced the change on 2 November 2026 after a security assessment. The first westbound sailing on the restored route leaves Salalah, Oman, on 4 November.

Maersk runs the service as ME1 and Hapag-Lloyd as the Indian Ocean Service (IOS), under the Gemini Cooperation. The move is the latest step in the partners’ phased return to Suez routings. Both carriers say the Suez routing depends on regional security and operating conditions holding up.

The return to Suez should give Indian exporters and importers on the Europe trade shorter transit times, with both Indian gateways still on the rotation.

The first westbound departure is Atlanta Express, voyage 644W, from Salalah on 4 November 2026.

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