CMA CGM is set to become the first shipping company to resume Red Sea sailings. A container vessel from its Europe-Middle East/India EPIC service, CMA CGM Columba, is currently en route to the Suez Canal. According to AIS data, the vessel arrived at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal on the evening of January 22 and is scheduled to transit southbound the following day. This marks CMA CGM as a pioneer in restoring regular Red Sea routes, showcasing its swift response to the Red Sea crisis.

Sailing records for CMA CGM Columba indicate the vessel successfully transited the Suez Canal in December last year. AIS updates confirm its current mission to the Suez Canal, signaling that CMA CGM has resumed regular operations through the canal. According to Linerlytica, with the Ocean Alliance planning to launch its new "Day 9" service network in April 2025, CMA CGM and its partners (including Cosco, OOCL, and ONE) are poised to lead in restoring Red Sea routes, leveraging their route tests and transit capabilities through Suez.

Since the Red Sea crisis began, EPIC service vessels (operated by CMA CGM, Cosco, OOCL, and ONE) have rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, expanding the fleet to 13 ships. Previously, the route included Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia, a key container hub, but detours caused the port to be excluded from certain voyages. Jeddah is now connected via barge services from UAE ports.

Analysts also noted that another vessel operated by CMA CGM, Cosco, and OOCL—CMA CGM Titus—is showing signs of resuming Suez Canal transits. This vessel has been serving the Europe-Middle East/India Medex service since August 2022 and completed two successful Suez transits in late 2024, on November 23 and December 31. Its next journey via the Cape of Good Hope is expected to conclude on February 12.

As CMA CGM and its partners restore Red Sea routes and prepare for the launch of a new shipping network in April 2025, the company demonstrates its strategic determination in global shipping. From fleet management and route recovery speed to coordination with partners, CMA CGM is solidifying its leadership position in the international maritime market.