A potential resumption of container shipping through the Red Sea in 2026 could overwhelm Europe's already stretched port network, reports London's S&P Global.

Forwarders warned bottlenecks could take months to clear, triggering equipment shortages in Asia as inbound volumes from ships rerouted via Africa or Suez fill yards and warehouses.

Asia-Europe demand growth rose 10-14 per cent this year, the strongest since before the global financial crisis, according to Kuehne + Nagel's Michael Aldwell. He said Europe's terminals have little idle capacity to absorb a sudden surge.

CMA CGM this week announced its Indamex service will regularly transit the Suez Canal, marking a structural shift. However, carriers remain cautious, with Maersk stressing crew and cargo safety must be assured before full resumption.

Analysts said a switchover could cause chaos, with Suez and Cape routes overlapping and waves of vessels hitting Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and US East Coast simultaneously.

Mr Aldwell warned delays at European terminals could disrupt schedules and create shortages of equipment in Asia until rotations normalise.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics noted Mediterranean ports may cope better with congestion, but transshipment hubs such as Port Said, Piraeus and Ambarli will face disruption as carriers revert calls from western ports like Tanger Med and Algeciras.