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Calmer seas ahead — but rough waters for freight rates.

Maersk Shares Slide as Gaza Ceasefire Raises Hopes of Red Sea Reopening.                                                                                                                                       

Maersk shares fell 2% on Thursday to their lowest level since July 8, as investors reacted to renewed optimism about a Gaza ceasefire potentially reopening Red Sea trade routes. The ceasefire, part of the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, has sparked expectations that Houthi attacks on commercial ships may ease, allowing vessels to resume their usual passage through the Suez Canal. Since late 2023, these attacks have forced global shippers to reroute around Africa, tightening capacity and pushing freight rates higher. Analysts at Sydbank and ABG Sundal Collier noted that the return of the Suez route would boost global shipping capacity and put downward pressure on freight rates. However, they cautioned that shipping firms may wait several months for concrete assurances of safety before resuming full operations.