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By Alison Koo
Premier Alliance shipping lines are preparing to resume Red Sea transits, but this can only be possible if the carriers are sure that the Houthis have stopped attacking ships.
The general manager of Taiwanese line Yang Ming, Cliff Pai ,said today: “As Israel-Palestine tensions appear to have eased, alliance members are making the relevant preparations to restart Suez Canal transits.
“We must consider the safety of crew, cargo, and our ships, as well as coordinate fleet schedules, requiring work in advance. Mainline operators have been trialling [Red Sea] transits, but a true return to the area will take some time.”
Mr Pai said that since the Houthis began attacking ships in the Red Sea in late 2023, Yang Ming had been arranging Middle East-bound cargo through transhipment. This involves shipping the goods to Jebel Ali for unloading and transferring the containers to external partners’ barges to Red Sea ports.
On Yang Ming’s outlook for 2026, Mr Pai believed uncertainties “would persist, with significant fluctuations in Asia-Europe and transpacific rates”.
He said: “Only Q1 26 has high visibility, as freight rates will rebound in the lead-up to Chinese New Year.”
And negotiations with shippers for yearly contracts pertaining to Asia-Europe shipments had been tough, he added.
“Shipping lines and shippers have different expectations and the picture will only be clearer at the end of Q1 26. We will stay resilient and control costs by optimising our fleet and increasing the number of owned ships to manage high charter costs.”
Meanwhile, CMA CGM and Maersk have already been trialling Red Sea sailings, and Premier Alliance member ONE will begin co-loading on a Red Sea-China service operated by Global Feeder Shipping, TS Lines and Regional Container Lines – all adding to the speculation that an end to Cape of Good Hope rerouting may be in sight.
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