Overview
- Yemen’s Houthi movement signaled a pause in Red Sea attacks in a letter to Hamas tied to the Gaza ceasefire, warning operations would resume if fighting restarts.
- CMA CGM’s 18,000‑TEU Benjamin Franklin made a trial transit as the first ultra‑large container ship to use the route since 2023, with its AIS reportedly off for six days before reappearing in the Arabian Sea.
- Additional CMA CGM vessels, including the Zheng He and Jules Verne, have entered or scheduled Suez transits as limited tests, while the carrier says it is not resuming large‑scale operations.
- Shipping authorities report a slight rise in Suez Canal traffic, but industry groups say owners remain cautious given uncertain Houthi intent and the fragility of the Gaza truce.
- Analysts say a sustained reopening could add significant Asia–Europe capacity and pressure freight rates, though premiums and diversions are expected to persist until multiple safe passages are confirmed.