According to multiple foreign media reports, in the early morning of December 19th, the Maersk Seok, a container ship built in 2007 and flying the Singaporean flag, completed its voyage through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into the Red Sea This marked Maersk's first crossing of the strait in nearly two years.

Maersk stated that the vessel had "taken the highest level of safety" during its voyage and is currently serving Maersk's MECL route service.

Maersk called it a significant development but added that it does not meanersk is considering reverting its broader east-west route network back to the Suez Canal corridor. "Assuming the security standards continue to meet the mark, we are considering gradual and phased approach to the resumption of the east-west corridor route via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea," said the company. This is the first step restoring the route. Next, there will be a limited number of additional voyages arranged via the Suez Canal. However, Maersk has no scheduled voyages at present.

The trial crossing took place after Maersk extended its strategic partnership agreement with the Suez Canal Authority on November 25th and discussed regional geopolitical developments, including on the Gaza peace process and efforts to re-establish freedom of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Suez Canal is the fastest route Europe and Asia, and before the attacks, the canal carried about 12% of global maritime trade. The prolonged disruption of the route added weeks to sailing times and led to surge in freight costs as ships had to divert around the Cape of Good Hope.

French shipping company CMA CGM has made limited crossings of the Suez Canal.

Maersk's initial decision to suspend Red Sea voyages came after the M/V Maersk Hangzhou was attacked by a missile and an attempted boarding incident on 30, 2023.

The security situation in the Red Sea has improved following the announcement by Houthi rebels to pause their maritime actions, and Suez Canal Authority is working to attract the return of container ships, though experts warn that the risk has only been mitigated, not eliminated.

Since October 203, the Houthis have attacked more than 100 merchant vessels in the Red Sea, sinking four, seizing one, and causing the deaths of eight sailors. the rerouting of the route around the Cape of Good Hope, traffic has decreased by 60%.

However, the high cost of maritime insurance remains a significant for shipping companies to resume operations in the Suez Canal.