ChokepointsBrief
CMA CGM sustains Suez Canal return as large vessel transits surge
SCA reports 166 medium and large container ships crossed between July and September 2026, up from 16 in the same period last year.
French shipping group CMA CGM is maintaining its return to Suez Canal routing as a permanent route, the company's Executive Vice President of Assets and Operations Christine Cabau confirmed on 14 October 2026. The statement came during a videoconference with Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie and CMA CGM Egypt and Sudan CEO Tarek Zaghloul.
Large vessel transits jump ninefold in third quarter#
Between July and September 2026, 166 vessels classified as medium and large container ships above 130,000 tons capacity crossed the Suez Canal, carrying a total net tonnage of 29 million tons. During the same period in 2025, 16 ships in these categories transited with a total net tonnage of 2.4 million tons. The SCA reported the figures as part of discussions on the French group's sailing policies and efforts to encourage global shipping lines to return to the canal.
CMA CGM PANTHEON completes maiden canal transit#
On 14 October 2026, container ship CMA CGM PANTHEON made its first passage through the canal on its maiden voyage, holding a net canal tonnage of 221,000 tons. The vessel sailed within the northbound convoy en route from Morocco to Malaysia. Container ship CMA CGM MONTE CRISTI passed through the waterway in the same northbound convoy on 14 October 2026.
SCA positions canal as fastest route amid supply chain pressure#
Rabie stated that present challenges are creating heightened pressure on global supply chains, with direct effects on fuel prices and freight rates. The authority is working to provide clients with a comprehensive package of maritime and logistics services, positioning the waterway as the quickest, shortest and most efficient routing option. The canal can handle 100 percent of the global container fleet, Rabie noted, citing operational savings in time and distance and contribution to economies of scale for container ships.
Sources1 source across 1 domain
- dailynewsegypt.comDaily News EgyptCMA CGM confirms sustained Suez Canal routing; SCA reports 166 large vessel transits July-September 2026 with 29m tons net tonnage versus 16 ships and 2.4m tons in same period 2025; CMA CGM PANTHEON maiden transit 14 October 2026 with 221,000 tons net canal tonnage
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Transits, closures, advisories, war risk premia and rerouting cost for Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Suez. Same day, same shape, always numbers.