Jeddah Congestion Persists as Maersk Returns to Suez

Maersk and Gemini carriers have resumed operations through the Suez Canal on the AE15 service, signaling a potential broader reopening of this critical trade corridor. However, congestion challenges remain acute at the Port of Jeddah, where persistent 4-6 hour delays continue to impact vessel schedules and cargo handling. This mixed picture reflects the ongoing volatility in Middle East logistics, where multiple pressure points, regional port infrastructure limitations, canal transit restrictions, and elevated demand, create a complex operating environment for international shippers.

The resumption of Suez routing is strategically significant because it offers carriers an alternative to longer, costlier circumnavigation routes while supply chain routes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal stabilize. However, the persistence of Jeddah delays suggests that port-side bottlenecks remain a structural constraint, not merely a temporary disruption. Shippers relying on Saudi Arabia as a gateway to regional markets face the double challenge of longer waits and capacity constraints, which will likely pressure lead times and increase demurrage costs.

For supply chain professionals, this situation demands dual-track contingency planning: leverage the Suez reopening to optimize transit routing and reduce circumnavigation premiums, while simultaneously mitigating Jeddah congestion through alternative ports, inventory positioning, or demand reforecasting. The trajectory of Jeddah's backlog and the stability of Suez access will be the key indicators to watch in the coming weeks.