Suez return cuts India-Savannah transit times by up to 14 days
The return of some container services to the Suez Canal is cutting transit times between India and the Port of Savannah by as much as 10 to 14 days, according to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA).
Several major container lines have begun restoring selected Red Sea and Suez Canal routings after extended diversions around the Cape of Good Hope.
GPA said the shorter voyages are improving supply chain velocity for cargo owners. They can also support faster inventory replenishment and reduce inventory carrying costs.
Maersk shifts MECL back to Suez
Maersk has shifted its MECL service from the Cape of Good Hope back to the Suez Canal.
The change has reduced the transit time from Nhava Sheva, India, to Savannah to 28 days.
The Maersk Denver made the carrier’s first new westbound sailing through the Suez Canal, calling Savannah on 9 August. Maersk has also added an eastbound call at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to the MECL service.
CMA CGM is also returning its INDAMEX service to the Suez Canal.
According to GPA, the change will reduce transit time from Nhava Sheva to Savannah by five days. It will also allow the service to maintain weekly frequency with two fewer vessels.
“Georgia Ports welcomes the transit time improvements as several major carriers return to Suez routings linking Georgia to world markets,” said Kevin Price, President of Georgia Ports.
MSC plans further Suez returns
MSC has announced plans to restore Suez Canal routings in both directions on four major Asia-Europe and Mediterranean services: Tiger, Albatross, Himalaya Express and Jade.
Removing the Cape of Good Hope diversion is expected to allow MSC to operate each service with two fewer vessels, increasing available container ship capacity elsewhere in its network.
“We are glad to see ocean carriers resuming Red Sea transits using the Suez Canal, the fastest and most economical way to link Asia, South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East to the U.S. market,” said GPA Chief Commercial Officer Flavio Batista.
He added that shorter lead times could benefit cargo owners that have diversified manufacturing into Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Savannah highlights landside connections
GPA said shorter ocean voyages are only one part of improving overall supply chain speed.
The Port of Savannah currently handles 40 weekly vessel calls and 42 weekly double-stack trains, alongside nearly 15,000 daily truck moves.
Containers moving by rail average around 20 hours between vessel discharge and rail departure. The port’s surrounding distribution network also provides options for transloading, inventory positioning and order fulfilment.
