Suez is reopening for some India services. Should you change your shipping plans?

Since attacks on shipping in the Red Sea began in late 2023, most container lines have sent ships from India to Europe and the US East Coast around the Cape of Good Hope, adding about one to two weeks to the journey. In 2026, some services have started to return to the Suez Canal.

What has changed

• In January 2026, Maersk moved its MECL service, linking the Middle East and India with the US East Coast, back to the Suez route.
• CMA CGM restarted its Indamex service from India to the US East Coast via Suez, and was able to take two ships out of the rotation because the round trip is shorter.
• Maersk scheduled the first westbound Suez sailing of its ME2 India–Europe service for late September 2026.

This is not a full return. When MSC and Maersk announced selected services in late August and September 2026, Maersk said it was not a broad return of its East–West network. Routing can still change at short notice if the security situation changes.

Freight rates

As capacity has come back on the Suez routes, Asia–Europe spot rates have eased through much of 2026, and analysts expect lower long term contract rates. Rates to the US East Coast still carry a premium. Rates vary a lot by port pair and week, so get a current quote rather than relying on an index.

What buyers should do

• Ask your forwarder which route your service uses, and whether it could switch during the voyage.
• Check that your marine insurance covers the route, including any war risk cover.
• Keep buffer stock planning based on the longer Cape routing until your service has run reliably via Suez for a few months.
• When buying CIF, ask how long the freight part of the quote is valid.

Our logistics partners book from Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Chennai and Kolkata. Ask us for current transit times to your port.

Sources

• ING Think, A Red Sea return would be a game changer for container shipping in 2026
• Seatrade Maritime, Container shipping market outlook for 2026
• Carra Globe, Red Sea shipping 2026: carriers return as the risk rises
• Zencargo, Red Sea reopening 2026

This article is general information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Trade rules change often, so confirm the position for your product with your customs broker before you ship.