Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk said it is preparing vessels for Suez Canal transits now that a multinational naval task force is operational in the Red Sea.
However, the Copenhagen-listed liner operator did not commit to a timeframe for reversing its decision to avoid the waterway and divert vessels on longer routes.
“We are preparing to allow for vessels to resume transit through the Red Sea both eastbound and westbound,” the company said in a customer advisory on Sunday.
“We are currently working on plans for the first vessels to make the transit and for this to happen as soon as operationally possible. While doing so, ensuring the safety of our employees is of the utmost importance and our number one priority in handling the challenging situation in the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden area.”
Maersk said it received confirmation on Sunday that US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian was up and running.
The company’s Christmas Eve notice to customers marks a change in tone from a week ago, when the US announced that it joined nine other nations to create the operation to respond to Houthi attacks on shipping. A day after the announcement, Maersk turned its pause of Suez Canal transits into a policy of diversion around the Cape of Good Hope.
Chief executive Vincent Clerc told CNBC on Monday that it could take weeks to reopen the Red Sea.
This weekend, Operation Prosperity Guardian could be seen in action as the US destroyer USS Laboon responded to two distress calls and shot down four drones fired from Houthi territory in Yemen.
“Multi-national security initiative Operation Prosperity Guardian has now been set up and deployed to allow maritime commerce to pass through the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden and once again return to using the Suez Canal as a gateway between Asia and Europe,” Maersk said.
“This is most welcome news for the entire industry and indeed the functionality of global trade.”
Maersk said it plans to provide more details in the coming days.
However, the company said the security measures do not eliminate risk.
“Maersk will not hesitate to reevaluate the situation and once again initiate diversion plans if we deem it necessary for the safety of our seafarers,” the company said.
