en septiembre 2026, 314 container vessels transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, marcando un 14.6% aumento intermensual y un 64.4% year-on-year jump – the highest monthly total since the onset of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
As more liner carriers redirect services back to the Suez Canal route and large container vessels accelerate their return, the supply-demand balance on Asia-Europe trade lanes is starting to shift.
Large Container Vessels Lead the Return
According to Lloyd’s List reporting on October 7, citing Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, 124 vessels of 7,000 TEU and above transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September. Compared with the same period in 2025, transit volumes for this vessel size category increased by 107 ships year on year.
Sin embargo, the route has not fully returned to normal operations. en septiembre, 139 vasos transited the strait with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) turned off, accounting for 44.3% of the month’s total traffic. Of those, 108 were vessels of 7,000 TEU and above.
Premier Alliance Joins Suez Return With Two Asia-Europe Loops
La lista de Lloyd, citing Alphaliner data, reports that the Primera Alianza – consisting of ONE, HMM and Yang Ming – plans to adjust two Asia–North Europe services to sail in both directions via the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
- FE1 service (Southeast Asia – North Europe): To be first operated by the ONE Continuity on the new routing, with the first westbound Suez transit scheduled for Noviembre 9. The round-trip cycle will shorten from 13 weeks to 11 semanas.
- IOX service (Indian Subcontinent – North Europe): To be first operated by the ONE Reliability, with the first westbound Suez transit scheduled for Noviembre 17. The round-trip cycle will shorten from 13 weeks to 10 semanas.
Previamente, el Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd also announced adjustments to three Asia-Europe services – AE12, AE11 and AE5 – adding Suez Canal transits to their schedules.
COSCO Shipping is also restoring related services. en septiembre 16, el OOCL Portugal transited the Suez Canal bound for China; on October 4, el OOCL Spain also completed a Suez Canal passage.
Encima 2 Million TEU of Capacity Returns, Pressuring Asia-Europe Rates
Linerlytica estimates that since May 2026, more than 140 container ships totaling over 2 millones de TEU of capacity have returned to the Suez Canal route.
Actualmente, aproximadamente 35% of Asia-Europe sailings use the Red Sea route, with varying shares by direction. As fewer vessels reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, shorter sailing distances are releasing more effective capacity back into the market. Mientras tanto, nearly 200,000 TEU of newbuild container ship capacity entered the market in September.
Linerlytica notes that due to fewer reroutings and blank sailing arrangements around China’s National Day holiday, TEU-mile demand growth has now fallen below capacity supply growth, turning its market indicator negative for the first time since January 2026.
Para transitarios, the recovery of Red Sea routes is expected to shorten transit times on some Asia-Europe services. Sin embargo, rising capacity may also put further downward pressure on freight rates. The actual market impact remains subject to ongoing observation.
Asia-Europe & Red Sea Shipping Solutions From Huazong Logistics
As a professional ocean freight forwarder with deep Asia-Europe trade lane expertise, Logística Huazong helps shippers navigate shifting Red Sea route dynamics and rate volatility with stable, flexible shipping solutions:
- Dual Routing Options – Both Suez Canal and Cape of Good Hope routing options available, with transparent transit time and cost comparisons to help you balance speed and budget.
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- Rate Lock & Previsión – Spot and contracted rate structures with proactive market outlook updates, helping you plan ahead amid rate fluctuation.
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For businesses shipping between Asia and Europe amid the Red Sea route recovery, asociarse con Huazong Logistics ofrece confiabilidad, cost-optimized ocean freight solutions.
