Maersk has finalised plans to reinstate regular sailings on its India-U.S. East Coast MECL service via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, following two successful trial voyages, according to the *Journal of Commerce* in New York. The new schedule is set to begin with a departure from India in late January or early February. A Maersk executive from the Middle East stated that MECL will soon permanently use the Suez route, although the company has not publicly confirmed any further details.

The 6,648-TEU Maersk Sebarok navigated the Suez Canal in December, followed by the 6,200-TEU Maersk Denver this week. Both vessels are part of the MECL service that connects India to the U.S. East Coast.

The weekly MECL service calls at Mundra, Pipavav, and Nhava Sheva; however, Maersk has announced that it will omit stops at Mundra and Pipavav on two upcoming voyages. Freight forwarders in Mumbai reported that Maersk has begun accepting bookings for grape cargo to Europe via the Suez route, offering shippers a 6-day transit advantage over the Cape of Good Hope route.

While Maersk has yet to start loading cargo destined for Europe on MECL vessels, it plans to explore this option once the routing changes are officially established. The inclusion of the Suez route is viewed as a strategic move to regain market share in the reefer-focused Indian grape trade.

Other carriers are also adapting their routes. CMA CGM's Indamex service will begin sailing westbound via the Suez starting January 17. Meanwhile, India-U.S. East Coast exports have declined due to tariff disputes, with volumes in November totalling 67,490 TEU, down from 93,160 TEU in August.