A critical shipping link between India’s west coast and the Mediterranean, the ME11 service, will resume Red Sea shipping services starting mid-February. Jointly run by Danish shipping firm Maersk and Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd, the ME11 service will transit the corridor under a naval escort, as per a press release.

Context: The move follows months of vessels rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope due to attacks in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthis starting late 2023. The diversions extended transit times and strained exporter margins.

A geopolitical caveat: The move “will remain dependent on the ongoing stability in the Red Sea area and the absence of any escalation in conflicts in the region.”

Why it matters: The Red Sea/Suez Canal route is critical for Indian exports to Europe and North Africa, particularly engineering goods, chemicals, textiles, and auto components. A partial resumption could ease disruptions, improve delivery timelines, and support India’s export competitiveness at a time when global demand remains uneven.

ICYMI: Shipping companies have been reluctant to make their return to the Red Sea — most recently CMA CGM rerouted three of its services back around the Cape of Good Hope, citing an “uncertain international context.” Maersk, however, appears to be more optimistic, rerouting its MECL service back through the canal only weeks after its Sebarok ship passed through the Red Sea for the first time in two years in December.

What’s next? While the use of naval escorts signals that the security environment remains managed rather than fully stable, the move is a structural bet on the corridor. If successful, Maersk’s AE12 and AE15 services are expected to follow, effectively restoring India’s primary maritime route to Europe.

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