Cruise Ships Transit Suez Canal in April 2026 After Evacuating Persian Gulf - News and Statistics

Apr 28, 2026

Two cruise lines have chosen to send their vessels through the Suez Canal after evacuating their ships from the Persian Gulf, according to a report published on April 27, 2026, by The Maritime Executive.

The Suez Canal Authority stated that the MSC Euribia, a liquefied natural gas-fueled cruise ship of 184,000 gross tons flying the Maltese flag, completed a northbound transit on Sunday, April 26. The vessel was operating with a skeleton crew of 192, compared to its usual complement of about 1,700 crew members. This was the first time the ship had passed through the Suez Canal. It is currently in the central Mediterranean en route to Malta, where it is scheduled to arrive on April 28. The ship will proceed to Kiel, Germany, to resume cruises on May 16, and to Copenhagen on May 17.

The transit of the MSC Euribia highlighted a continuing drop in Suez Canal traffic. The authority reported that the ship was among 45 vessels that passed through on Sunday, representing roughly 1.7 million net tons. Before the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea disrupted shipping, the canal typically saw 60 or more ships per day, and on two occasions in 2022 and 2023, more than 100 vessels transited in a single day.

MSC Cruises followed Celestyal Cruises, which had already sent its two cruise ships through the Suez Canal on their return from the Persian Gulf. The company reported on April 27 that both the Celestyal Discovery and the Celestyal Journey had completed the transit. The Celestyal Discovery has stopped in Turkey and is heading toward Greece, with cruises set to resume on May 1. The Celestyal Journey is bound for Turkey and is scheduled to restart cruises on May 2.

The Saudi-owned cruise ship Aroya also transited the Bab el-Mandeb on its way to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where it will resume operations. In June, it is scheduled to go through the Suez Canal to begin cruises from Turkey. The Aroya was the first cruise ship to transit the Suez Canal after the Houthis disrupted operations, having done so with passengers in September 2025 during a repositioning from Turkey to Saudi Arabia. It had previously made similar transits in December 2024 and June 2025.

The Suez Canal Authority aims to attract cruise ships back as part of a broader strategy to rebuild canal operations. It reported that between 2021 and 2024, 69 cruise ships transited the canal with about 38,000 passengers, generating approximately $15.8 million in revenue for the authority.

In contrast, the German cruise line Mein Schiff chose to send its two vessels around South Africa after leaving the Persian Gulf. The Mein Schiff 5 is scheduled to arrive in Cape Town on April 28 and will resume cruising on May 15 from Turkey. The Mein Schiff 4 is one day behind, arriving in Cape Town on April 29, and is scheduled to restart service on May 17 from Italy.

Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.

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#
Company
Headquarters
Focus
Scale
Note

1
Meyer Werft
Papenburg, Germany
Cruise ships, ferries
Large
Leading cruise ship builder

2
Fincantieri
Trieste, Italy
Cruise ships, ferries
Very Large
World’s largest cruise shipbuilder

3
Chantiers de l’Atlantique
Saint-Nazaire, France
Cruise ships, ferries
Large
Major European shipyard

4
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Tokyo, Japan
Cruise ships, ferries
Very Large
Diverse shipbuilding conglomerate

5
Meyer Turku
Turku, Finland
Cruise ships, ferries
Large
Part of Meyer Group

6
Hanjin Heavy Industries
Busan, South Korea
Cruise ships, ferries
Large
Significant Asian builder

7
Damen Shipyards Group
Gorinchem, Netherlands
Ferries, workboats
Very Large
Global, diverse shipbuilder

8
Incat Tasmania
Hobart, Australia
High-speed passenger ferries
Medium
Wave-piercing catamaran specialist

9
Austal
Henderson, Australia
High-speed ferries, vessels
Large
Aluminum ship specialist

10
FSG Flensburger Schiffbau
Flensburg, Germany
Ro-Pax ferries, special vessels
Medium
Specialist ferry builder

11
Helsinki Shipyard
Helsinki, Finland
Cruise ships, icebreakers
Medium
Ice-class vessel expert

12
Samsung Heavy Industries
Seoul, South Korea
Cruise ships, offshore
Very Large
Part of Samsung Group

13
Hyundai Heavy Industries
Ulsan, South Korea
Cruise ships, all vessel types
Very Large
World’s largest shipbuilder

14
Stena RoRo
Gothenburg, Sweden
Ro-Pax ferry design/contracting
Large
Operator and commissioner

15
Remontowa Shipbuilding
Gdansk, Poland
Ferries, specialized vessels
Large
Major Polish shipyard

16
Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie
Cherbourg, France
High-speed passenger ferries
Medium
Aluminum craft specialist

17
Trinity Offshore
Houston, USA
Ferries, offshore vessels
Medium
Gulf Coast shipbuilder

18
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders
Freeland, USA
Passenger ferries, vessels
Medium
US West Coast builder

19
Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding
Somerset, USA
High-speed passenger ferries
Small-Medium
Duclos Corporation

20
Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding
Tokyo, Japan
Ferries, cruise ships
Large
Historic Japanese shipbuilder

21
Swiftships
Morgan City, USA
Aluminum passenger vessels
Medium
US aluminum craft builder

22
Victoria Shipyards
Victoria, Canada
Ferries, vessel repair/conversion
Medium
Seaspan ULC subsidiary

23
Brodosplit
Split, Croatia
Cruise ships, ferries
Large
Major Adriatic shipyard

24
Uljanik Shipyard
Pula, Croatia
Cruise ships, ferries
Large
Historic Croatian shipyard

25
Wuchang Shipbuilding
Wuhan, China
Cruise ships, ferries, naval
Very Large
State-owned Chinese shipbuilder

26
Jiangnan Shipyard
Shanghai, China
Cruise ships, diverse vessels
Very Large
China State Shipbuilding Corp

27
Rauma Marine Constructions
Rauma, Finland
Ice-going passenger ferries
Medium
Finnish Arctic vessel specialist

28
Cantiere Navale Vittoria
Adria, Italy
Passenger ferries, yachts
Medium
Italian specialist shipyard

29
Strategic Marine
Singapore
Passenger catamarans, crew boats
Medium
Asia-Pacific aluminum builder

30
Astilleros Gondan
Figueras, Spain
Ro-Pax ferries, special vessels
Medium
Spanish shipyard for complex vessels

This report provides a comprehensive view of the global shipping industry, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the worldwide value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.

Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between exporters and importers worldwide. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the global shipping landscape.

Quick navigation
Key findings

Global demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking cost-competitive producers to import-reliant markets.
Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating distinct cost curves across regions.
Market concentration varies by country, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned globally.
Report scope

The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts across countries and regions.

Market size and growth in value and volume terms
Consumption structure by end-use segments and regions
Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
Global trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
Price benchmarks, unit values, and margin signals
Competitive context and market entry conditions
Product coverageProdcom 30112130 – Cruise vesselsProdcom 30112150 – FerriesCountry coverageCountry profiles and benchmarks

For the global report, country profiles provide a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators. The profiles highlight the largest consuming and producing markets and allow direct benchmarking across peers.

Methodology

The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.

International trade data (exports, imports, and mirror statistics)
National production and consumption statistics
Company-level information from financial filings and public releases
Price series and unit value benchmarks
Analyst review, outlier checks, and time-series validation

All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.

Forecasts to 2035

The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links shipping demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts.

Historical baseline: 2012-2025
Forecast horizon: 2026-2035
Scenario-based sensitivity to income growth, substitution, and regulation
Capacity and investment outlook for major producing countries

Each country projection is built from its own historical pattern and the regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.

Price analysis and trade dynamics

Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.

Price benchmarks by country and sub-region
Export and import unit value trends
Seasonality and calendar effects in trade flows
Price outlook to 2035 under baseline assumptions
Profiles of market participants

Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.

Business focus and production capabilities
Geographic reach and distribution networks
Cost structure and pricing strategy indicators
Compliance, certification, and sustainability context
How to use this report

Quantify global demand and identify the most attractive markets
Evaluate export opportunities and prioritize target countries
Track price dynamics and protect margins
Benchmark performance against major competitors
Build evidence-based forecasts for investment decisions

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of global shipping dynamics.

FAQ
What is included in the global shipping market?

The market size aggregates consumption and trade data at country and regional levels, presented in both value and volume terms.

How are the forecasts to 2035 built?

The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.

Does the report cover prices and margins?

Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.

Which countries are profiled in detail?

The report provides profiles for the largest consuming and producing countries, enabling benchmarking across peers.

Can this report support market entry decisions?

Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.

1. INTRODUCTION

Report Scope and Analytical Framing

Report DescriptionResearch Methodology and the Analytical FrameworkData-Driven Decisions for Your BusinessGlossary and Product-Specific Terms2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Concise View of Market Direction

Key FindingsMarket TrendsStrategic ImplicationsKey Risks and Watchpoints3. MARKET SIZE AND DEVELOPMENT PATH

Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing

Market Size: Historical Data (2012-2025) and Forecast (2026-2035)Growth Outlook and Market Development Path to 2035Growth Driver DecompositionScenario Framework and Sensitivities4. CATEGORY SCOPE, DEFINITIONS AND BOUNDARIES

Commercial and Technical Scope

What Is Included and How the Market Is DefinedMarket Inclusion CriteriaProduct / Category DefinitionExclusions and BoundariesDistinction From Adjacent Products and Substitute Categories5. CATEGORY STRUCTURE, SEGMENTATION AND PRODUCT MATRIX

How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets

By Product Type / ConfigurationBy Application / End UseBy Customer / Buyer TypeBy Channel / Business Model / Technology PlatformSegment Attractiveness MatrixProduct Matrix and Segment Growth Logic6. DEMAND, CUSTOMER AND CONSUMER ARCHITECTURE

Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves

Consumption / Demand by Country or Region: Historical Data (2012-2025) and Forecast (2026-2035)Demand by End-Use and Buyer GroupDemand by Customer / Consumer SegmentPurchase Criteria, Switching Logic and Adoption BarriersReplacement, Replenishment and Installed-Base DynamicsFuture Demand Outlook7. PRODUCTION, SUPPLY AND VALUE CHAIN

Supply Footprint, Trade and Value Capture

Production by CountryManufacturing Footprint and Supply HubsCapacity, Bottlenecks and Supply RisksValue Chain Logic and Margin PoolsRoute-to-Market and Distribution Structure8. TRADE, SOURCING AND IMPORT DEPENDENCE

Trade Flows and External Dependence

Exports by CountryImports by CountryTrade Balance and Sourcing StructureImport Dependence and Supply ResilienceStrategic Trade Corridors9. PRICING, PROMOTION AND COMMERCIAL MODEL

Price Formation and Revenue Logic

Price Levels and Price CorridorsPricing by Segment / Specification / GeographyCost Drivers and Margin LogicPromotion, Discounting and Procurement PatternsRevenue Quality and Commercial Levers10. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE AND PORTFOLIO POWER

Who Wins and Why

Market Structure and ConcentrationCompetitive ArchetypesSegment-by-Segment Competitive IntensityPortfolio Breadth and Product PositioningCapability MatrixStrategic Moves, Partnerships and Expansion Signals11. GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE AND COUNTRY ROLES

Where Growth and Supply Concentrate

Core Demand MarketsCore Production MarketsExport HubsImport-Reliant MarketsFastest-Growing MarketsCountry Archetypes and Strategic Roles12. GROWTH PLAYBOOK AND MARKET ENTRY

Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities

Where to PlayHow to WinBuild vs Buy vs PartnerRoute-to-Market ChoicesLocalization and Capability ThresholdsEntry Risks and Mitigation13. WHERE TO PLAY NEXT: MOST ATTRACTIVE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits

Most Attractive Product NichesMost Attractive Customer SegmentsMost Attractive Markets for Commercial ExpansionWhite Spaces and Unsaturated OpportunitiesHigh-Margin and Underpenetrated PocketsMost Promising Product Adjacencies14. PROFILES OF MAJOR COMPANIES

Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes

Leading Manufacturers and SuppliersRegional Specialists and ChallengersProduction Footprint and Manufacturing CapacitiesProduct Portfolio and Segment FocusPricing Positioning and Indicative Price LogicChannel / Distribution StrengthStrategic Archetypes15. COUNTRY PROFILES

Detailed View of the Most Important National Markets

View detailed country profiles50 countries

15.1

United States