Maersk has resumed Suez Canal service to Savannah as other container lines restore selected Red Sea routes
SAVANNAH, Ga. (September 22, 2026) — Some ocean carriers are resuming Suez Canal routes, shortening transit times for cargo moving from India to the Port of Savannah. Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) said the faster voyages can help importers replenish inventory sooner and reduce the cost of holding goods in transit.
Maersk has returned its MECL service to the Suez Canal after routing vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. The change cuts transit time from Nhava Sheva, India, to Savannah to 28 days, approximately 10 to 14 days faster than the longer route. The Maersk Denver became the service’s first new westbound sailing through the Suez Canal to call on Savannah, arriving August 9. Maersk has also added an eastbound stop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
CMA CGM is working to return its INDAMEX service to the Suez Canal. According to GPA, the change is expected to shorten the Nhava Sheva-to-Savannah voyage by five days and allow the carrier to maintain weekly service with two fewer vessels.
“Georgia Ports welcomes the transit time improvements as several major carriers return to Suez routings linking Georgia to world markets,” said Kevin Price, president of Georgia Ports.
Carriers Restore Selected Suez Canal Routes
MSC has announced plans to resume Suez Canal routing in both directions on four Asia–Europe and Mediterranean services: Tiger, Albatross, Himalaya Express and Jade. By avoiding the Cape of Good Hope detour, MSC expects to operate each service with two fewer vessels.
“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,” said GPA Chief Commercial Officer Flavio Batista. “Cargo owners have made significant investments to diversify manufacturing to countries in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Now they will be able to enjoy the full benefit of that manufacturing shift with shorter lead times and a more predictable supply chain.”
Port of Savannah Supports Faster Cargo Movement
GPA said shorter ocean voyages can provide the greatest benefit when importers can also move goods efficiently after they reach port. The Port of Savannah reports approximately 40 weekly vessel calls, 42 weekly double-stack trains and nearly 15,000 truck moves per day.
According to GPA, a truck completing a dual import-export exchange averages a 50-minute turn time. Containers moving by rail average about 20 hours from vessel discharge to rail departure. Distribution centers near the port provide additional options for transloading, inventory storage and order fulfillment.
For companies sourcing goods from India and other international markets, those connections can help turn a shorter voyage into faster delivery to customers.
About Georgia Ports
Georgia Ports Authority operates the ports of Savannah and Brunswick. Its facilities connect ocean shipping with rail, trucking and distribution networks serving U.S. markets. Learn more at gaports.com.
Media contact: Edward Fulford, Manager of Media Relations
efulford@gaports.com | 912-964-3806
