Suez return cuts India-Savannah transit by 10-14 days
Carriers including Maersk and CMA CGM have resumed Suez Canal routings for India-Savannah container services, cutting transit times by 10 to 14 days. Maersk’s MECL service now reaches Savannah in 28 days from Nhava Sheva, while CMA CGM’s Indamex service is expected to save five days on the same route. The Maersk Denver made the first westbound Suez transit for the service when it called Savannah on August 9.
The shift back through Suez avoids the longer Cape of Good Hope detour that had added distance, time and vessel capacity requirements. Mediterranean Shipping Co. plans to restore Suez routings on four Asia-Europe and Mediterranean services, allowing each to run with two fewer vessels. The Port of Savannah handles about 40 weekly vessel calls, 42 double-stack rail departures and nearly 15,000 truck moves each day.
“Georgia Ports welcomes the transit time improvements as several major carriers return to Suez routings linking Georgia to world markets,” Kevin Price, Georgia Ports President said.
“We are glad to see ocean carriers resuming Red Sea transits using the Suez Canal, the fastest and most economical way to link Asia, South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East to the U.S. market,” Flavio Batista, chief commercial officer at Georgia Ports Authority said.
Many container services had been diverted around Africa due to security risks in the Red Sea region. The Cape of Good Hope detour added considerable distance, time and vessel capacity requirements to several trade lanes.
What we know
Transit time improvement of 10 to 14 days
Maersk MECL service transit time reduced to 28 days from Nhava Sheva to Savannah
Maersk Denver called Savannah on August 9 as first westbound Suez sailing
CMA CGM Indamex service expected to save five days on Nhava Sheva‑Savannah route
Port of Savannah handles about 40 weekly vessel calls