NYN | News
The French shipping giant CMA CGM is preparing to resume its vessel operations through the Red Sea following the ceasefire in Gaza — a move considered the first of its kind in nearly two years.
According to a report published Monday by the British maritime magazine Lloyd’s List, the company has reactivated several of its large ships despite the continued hesitation of other shipping lines, such as Maersk, due to fears of renewed conflict.
The magazine noted that CMA CGM’s massive container ship Benjamin Franklin successfully transited the Red Sea, becoming the first major vessel to make the passage in a long time. Other ships, including one heading directly to Europe, are reportedly en route in what appears to be a cautious attempt to test the feasibility of gradually reopening this vital corridor connecting Asia and Europe.
Meanwhile, the Jules Verne, another CMA CGM vessel carrying 16,000 containers and operating under the Ocean Alliance service between Asia and the Mediterranean, was sighted near the island of Socotra and is expected to reach the Suez Canal on November 14. According to the maritime research firm Linerlytica, this development could pave the way for the restoration of the critical trade route linking the Far East and the Mediterranean.
The magazine also pointed out that CMA CGM never completely halted its Red Sea operations during the conflict — a sign that it was not among the targets of Sana’a’s forces, unlike other companies such as Maersk, which is linked to Israel and could face increased risks if the ceasefire collapses.
