Suez Canal vessel transits increased 27% year over year in August as more shipping lines returned selectively to the Red Sea route, lifting the Egyptian waterway’s monthly revenue 56.7% to $567.1 million.
Revenue climbed 56.7% to $567.1 million, while net tonnage increased 51.1%, signaling a stronger — though still incomplete —recovery in Suez traffic.
For North American shippers, the immediate effects are indirect and mixed. A Suez return chiefly changes Asia-Europe and Middle East networks, but it releases vessel capacity and containers that can eventually affect trans-Pacific and U.S. East Coast markets. It is unlikely by itself to bring near-term rate relief on Asia-U.S. trades, where rates and capacity remain tight.
A total of 1,358 vessels transited the canal in August, compared with 1,070 in the same month of 2025, according to a statement by Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie. Net tonnage rose 51.1% to 68.3 million tons from 45.2 million tons a year earlier.
The figures translate to an average of nearly 44 vessel passages a day in August, compared with about 35 a day in August 2025. Tonnage grew more quickly than the vessel count, suggesting that the returning traffic included larger ships or vessels carrying heavier loads.
Rabie said navigation through the canal was operating normally and characterized the waterway as safe, amid an improving shipping environment following the extended Red Sea disruption that sent many Asia-Europe and -North America services on longer diversions around Africa.
Carrier returns build
The August gain follows a gradual, uneven revival in carrier use of the canal. Maersk (OTC: AMKBY) and Hapag-Lloyd have restored some Gemini Cooperation services to the Suez route, including the AE15 and AE19 services, after assessing security conditions in the Red Sea.
Maersk said the targeted service changes were a “measured step” toward a gradual return to the trans-Suez corridor and did not represent a full restoration of its East-West network through the waterway.
The return of even a limited number of Asia-Europe loops can materially affect canal volumes, given the size and frequency of container vessels involved. A Suez routing can also substantially shorten voyages between Asia and Europe versus Cape of Good Hope diversions; Hapag-Lloyd said its revised AE15 service would reduce passage time by four weeks.
China’s Cosco (1919.HK) has begun a measured return to the Red Sea-Suez corridor, while CMA CGM of France is already using the canal at a materially higher rate. The clearest current data point is 60 CMA CGM vessels transiting Suez in September to date, versus Cosco’s initial return voyage on Sept. 16 and three further ships planned.
Recovery remains partial
Before attacks on shipping by Houthi rebels in Yemen sharply curtailed container traffic in the Red Sea in late 2023, the canal handled roughly 80 container vessels weekly. By mid-January 2026, that count had recovered to only 26 vessels a week, illustrating the extent to which many carriers continued using longer Africa routings even as certain services began to return.
The latest data shows the recovery gaining momentum. July traffic totaled 1,340 vessels and produced $505 million in canal revenue, followed by 1,358 vessels and $567.1 million in August. The sequential gain was modest in vessel numbers but more pronounced in revenue, pointing to an improving vessel mix and a stronger toll base.
Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Read more:
Hurricane Polo disrupts Mexican Pacific ports with high winds, heavy rain
New report: Just a third of container shipping on-time
New $100M inland rail terminal will handle 60,000 TEUs a year
Asia-US container rates soar past $11,000, near pandemic records
Container shipping fuel prices remain elevated as supply fears ease
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now