Further to our earlier communications, we are pleased to note the reopening of the Suez Canal late on 29 March and to update you on the status of MSC vessels in the area and those being diverted. 

The canal was closed for almost a week after the grounding of the MV Ever Given blocked the waterway, creating a substantial backlog of hundreds of ships. Sorting out that backlog is a complex process and will take several days, however, convoys have started to move towards their destinations. 

We thank you for understanding that this incident was beyond our control and we are doing our utmost to manage delivery of cargoes in the best way possible. The incident is expected to result in a constriction of capacity, adding continued pressure on shipping and port networks well into the second quarter of this year. 

Service & schedule impact 

The following vessels carrying cargo for MSC customers are impacted in the Suez Canal area, or en route to the waterway, as at 1800hrs CEST, 30 March (MSC fleet in bold).

Southbound vessels anchored at the Great Bitter Lake during transit on 23 March, subsequently left the canal: 

• MSC ROMA (southbound) – NWC to IPAK service, voyage IP109A 
• MAERSK ESMERALDAS (southbound) – 2M Shogun service, voyage 107E 
• MAERSK SAIGON (southbound) – 2M Elephant service, voyage 107E 
• GUNDE MAERSK (southbound) – 2M Empire service, voyage 108W 

Southbound convoy started in the morning of 30 March and expected to exit the canal the same day: 

• MAERSK HANOI – 2M Phoenix service, voyage 109E 
• MSC MIA – 2M Jade service, voyage FJ110E 
• MUNICH MAERSK – 2M Albatros service, voyage 110E 

Northbound convoy started in the morning of 30 March and expected to exit the canal the same day: 

• MSC RIFAYA – 2M Albatros service, voyage FB108W 
• MSC ERICA – 2M Shogun service, voyage QH108W 
• MARY MAERSK – 2M Silk service, voyage 108W 
• MSC OSCAR – 2M Tiger service, voyage FT107W 
• MUNKEBO MAERSK – 2M Griffin service, voyage 109W 
• MSC AMBRA – 2M Jade service, voyage FJ107W 

Southbound vessels waiting at anchor: 

• SEAMAX GREENWICH – Australia Express service, voyage MA108A 
• SEAMAX NORWALK – Himalaya Express service, voyage IS109A 
• GEORG MAERSK – 2M Lion service, voyage 106E 
• MSC GIULIA – Indus Express service, voyage IU107R 
• ADRIAN MAERSK – 2M America service, voyage 107E 
• MSC MAEVA – India-Med service, voyage MI111A 
• MSC MIRJAM – 2M Tiger service, voyage FT110E 
• MSC ISTANBUL – 2M Griffin service, voyage QG109E 
• GSL GRANIA – 2M Elephant service, voyage 108E 
• MAJESTIC MAERSK – 2M Silk service, voyage 110E 
• EUGEN MAERSK – 2M Condor service, voyage 109E 
• MSC CHANNE – Indus Express service, voyage IU108R 
• MSC ROSA M – Himalaya Express service, voyage IS110A 

Northbound vessels waiting at anchor: 

• CONTI EVEREST – Australia Express service, voyage MA107R 
• MSC BENEDETTA – Himalaya Express service, voyage IS109R 
• LE HAVRE – NWC to IPAK service, voyage IP110R 
• EBBA MAERSK – 2M Condor service, voyage 109W 
• MSC RAPALLO – 2M Lion service, voyage QL109W 
• MSC LAUREN – Indusa service, voyage IV110A 
• MAERSK HAMBURG – 2M Phoenix service, voyage 107W 
• SEAMAX BRIDGEPORT – Indus Express service, voyage IU110A 
• AXEL MAERSK – 2M America service, voyage 109W 
• MSC AURORA – 2M Shogun service, voyage QH109W 

The following vessels have been diverted around the Cape of Good Hope as an alternative to the traffic jam at the Suez Canal: 

Vessels being re-routed via the Cape of Good Hope, as announced on 30 March: 

• MAGLEBY MAERSK – 2M Silk service, voyage 109W 
• ARNOLD MAERSK – 2M America service, voyage 110W 
• ELLY MAERSK – 2M Condor service, voyage 110W 
• MARCHEN MAERSK – 2M Griffin service, voyage 110W 
• MAERSK KOWLOON – 2M Elephant service, voyage 110W 
• GUNHILDE MAERSK – 2M Empire service, voyage 109W 
• MAERSK SANTANA – 2M Elephant service, voyage 110E 
• MAREN MAERSK – 2M Albatros service, voyage 109W 

Vessels being re-routed via the Cape of Good Hope, as announced on 26 March: 

• MSC SINDY – Australia Express service, voyage MA109A 
• MAERSK ALGOL – 2M America service, voyage 108E 
• MAERSK SKARSTIND – 2M Elephant service, voyage 109E 
• BREMEN – 2M Emerald service, voyage UL108W 
• MSC BILBAO – 2M Emerald service, voyage UL109W 
• NORTHERN JAVELIN – INDUSA service, voyage IV109R 
• CONTI CORTESIA – NWC to IPAK service, voyage IP111R 

Vessels which turned back as per below comments, as announced on 26 March: 

• MSC STELLA – India-Med service, voyage MI109R, will discharge cargo at King Abdullah Port and return to India. 
• SEAMAX DARIEN – Indusa service, voyage IV108R, will discharge cargo in Mediterranean ports, awaiting further orders. 

Vessels which turned back as per below comments, as announced on 30 March: 

• MSC PAMELA – India-Med service, voyage MI110R, will discharge cargo at King Abdullah Port and return to Far East. 

Vessels previously intended for Cape diversion, now being re-routed back via Suez Canal: 

• VARNA BAY – Indusa service, voyage IV110R 
• MSC AMSTERDAM – 2M Lion service, voyage QL110W 
• MAERSK MERETE – 2M Albatros service, voyage 111E 
• MAERSK MADISON – 2M Silk service, voyage 111E 

Please contact your local MSC representatives in our global network of more than 500 offices should you have any questions. 

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company