Arab Finance: Danish shipping group Maersk has resumed a new shipping service across the Red Sea as part of its plan for a gradual return to transiting the Suez Canal, according to a statement.
The group said it will resume full operations of its WAF6 service, which connects the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and West Africa. It will now transit via the Red Sea between Salalah and the West Mediterranean.
The resumption represents a further step towards a gradual return to the trans-Suez corridor, which offers a shorter route for trade between Asia and Europe compared to the Cape of Good Hope route.
Earlier this month, the company unveiled plans to resume transits through the Suez Canal on its Middle East–US East Coast (MECL) service
In a recent meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, CEO of A.P. Moller-Maersk Vincent Clerc stressed Egypt as one of the world's most important trade hubs and reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the Egyptian government and Maersk.
In addition, Clerc said the company is committed to expanding its investments in Egypt and strengthening cooperation with the government, adding, "We are committed to the resumption of trade through the Suez Canal."
During this meeting, Madbouly reaffirmed the Egyptian government's commitment to working with the group and other global shipping companies to support traffic through the Suez Canal.
