Maersk has restarted scheduled services via the Red Sea and Suez Canal after two years of disruption, a move analysts say could pressure freight rates, reports American Shipper.

Long-term rates are expected to fall back to pre-crisis levels even without a full-scale Red Sea return, said Xeneta analyst Peter Sand.

Maersk reconfigured its MECL service linking Asia and the US, deploying smaller ships outside alliances. CMA CGM of France largely continued services during the Houthi offensive, but Maersk's return is seen as a turning point.

Mr Sand said Maersk tested the route in recent weeks, with vessels sailing through the Red Sea after initially "going dark" around the Cape of Good Hope. He noted the risk is now low enough for official schedules to resume.

Mr Sand cautioned that a full reinstatement of services could take three to five months, with possible disruption and congestion as carriers adjust routes. He said a large-scale return to the Suez Canal could free up six to eight per cent of global container capacity.

Global container traffic totalled 183 million TEU in 2024, meaning close to two million TEU could re-enter circulation. Spot rates from the Far East are already down 43 per cent into the US East Coast and 30 per cent into North Europe compared with a year ago.