NEWSLETTER
www.lethagencies.com
YOUR PREFERRED AGENT IN MARITIME HOTSPOTS July 2025Issue 009
If you have questions about the statistics in this article or require further information, please reach out to our team at:
[email protected]
Welcome to this month’s update from LETH! As the maritime industry navigates new challenges, we’re here to keep you informed on
the latest developments and updates.
Featured This Month:
•Middle East Update•Suez Canal Updates•Leth Shanghai•Panama Canal Updates
Securing a Panama Canal transit slot remained generally manageable in June, with no locks maintenance and low demand across all
segments. The Canal operated near full capacity, averaging 31.3 transits per day out of a maximum of 36.
In the Regular segment, demand saw a modest decline from May despite limited daily availability. In the third booking period (auction),
about 32% of Regular slots were sold, with the rest offered without any bidders. Bidding levels generally remained close to the starting price
of USD 15,000.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) conducted maintenance on the East Lane of the Gatun Locks from 1 July until 4 July 0100LT , reducing
available Panamax booking slots from 26 to 16 per day during this period. With limited capacity for Super and Regular segments, most First
Come First Served (FCFS) slots were taken through July 8, leading to increased auction activity and elevated bid levels. For Super vessels,
FCFS slots remain available from 11 July onward. While capacity is expected to normalise following the completion of maintenance, demand
at the Canal remains volatile and subject to rapid shifts. The Regular segment remains stable, with low demand and slot availability observed
in the coming days. For more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team .
For Panamax-Super vessels, most slots were secured during the 1st and 2nd booking periods, allowing clients flexibility to monitor ETAs
before committing. Demand held relatively stable,compared to May. Bidding levels typically stayed near the starting price of USD 55,000 for
Supers. Approximately 54% of auctions in this segment were sold, while the remaining slots were offered without any bidders.
The Neo-Panamax segment experienced a slight increase in demand. Bidding levels generally remained close to the starting price of USD
100,000, with only around 53% of auctions sold and the remaining slots offered without any bidders.
PANAMA CANAL
LETH welcomes new joiner in Shanghai!
Disclaimer: The information in these graph/stats is derived from observed data and may not be entirely accurate. Pls consider it as general reference.
Panamax Segment Distribution Neo-Panamax Segment DistributionRegular Segment Distribution
We are happy to announce that Amanda Yuan is joining LETH, marking our first permanent
presence in China. Amanda is joining LETH as Commercial Manager (China), where she will lead and
expand our business development and commercial activities in this important market. She brings
more than 15 years of experience from the maritime industry, the majority of which within sales
and commercial roles in WSS and S5. Amanda will be based in Shanghai.
We are excited to share the news and to be welcoming Amanda to LETH! YOUR PREFERRED AGENT IN MARITIME HOTSPOTS
MaltaPanama Spain GibraltarDenmarkEgypt Singapore Turkey
LETH NEWSLETTER July 2025
If you have questions about the statistics in this article or require further information, please reach out to our team at:
[email protected]
EGYPT
Source: Lloyds AIS, Observed Data
Suez Canal Per WeekTotalNorthboundSouthbound
Crude
Tanker
Product
Tanker
Dry BulkContainerLPG LNGChemicals
RoRo/
Vehicle
Carrier
Gen Cargo/
MPP
Other
Weekly Average Q2 25
(Week 14-26)
236.85119.15 117.69 64.62 3.00 57.7735.31 5.923.62 22.23 6.15 19.08 19.15
Weekly Average Q1 25
(Week 1-13)
+4.8 +0.8 +4.0 +8.8 +0.4 -2.9 -2.9 0.1+0.2 -1.0 +0.5 -0.2+2.1
Average Weekly Suez Canal Transits: Week 1-26/2025
The Suez Canal Authority recently welcomed two major CMA CGM
megaships, CMA CGM JULES VERNE and CMA CGM ADONIS, through
the canal. CMA CGM JULES VERNE, a 180,000-ton vessel, led the
northbound convoy from Malta to Jeddah, while the 164,000-ton CMA
CGM ADONIS headed the southbound convoy from Singapore to
Alexandria.
These transits follow Circular No. 3/2025, which offers a 15% toll
discount for vessels over 130,000 tons. The SCA aims to encourage the
return of large containerships via the canal by offering more flexible
pricing amid ongoing regional challenges. Admiral Ossama Rabiee
highlighted that these megaships demonstrate environmental and
operational efficiency, further reinforcing the Suez Canal’s strategic
role as a shortened and secure global trade route. Read more here .
Suez Canal Welcomes CMA CGM Megaships
MIDDLE EAST UPDATE
Update from our analyst at Guardian
In Guardian, our Risk Advisory team closely monitors the Middle East
developments to aid our clients with insights and operational
recommendations. The Iran-Israel conflict escalated when, on 13 June, Israel
launched a surprise aerial and drone strike deep inside Iran, targeting nuclear
installations (Natanz, Fordow, Tehran), military bases, high-ranking generals,
and nuclear scientists, code-named Operation Rising Lion. Iran responded on
the same day with a massive counterattack, launching hundreds of missiles
and drones at Israel. The fighting continued, with the US getting involved on
22 June, conducting targeted strikes also on Iran's nuclear facilities. A fragile
ceasefire was brokered on 24 June, which remains in place to date.
Iran’s parliament passed a non-binding resolution to block the Strait of
Hormuz, the world's most critical oil chokepoint, though this is still pending
Supreme Court approval. Equally, despite the lull in direct fighting, the US
Navy claims to have intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at Israel. There is a risk
of GPS jamming and cyberattacks (notably from Iranian-backed hacker
groups) in the region, which have reportedly targeted maritime and energy
sectors. Port disruptions and temporary halts at Haifa and Bandar Abbas have
resumed in late June.
YOUR PREFERRED AGENT IN MARITIME HOTSPOTS
MaltaPanama Spain GibraltarDenmarkEgypt Singapore Turkey
LETH NEWSLETTER July 2025
If you have questions about the statistics in this article or require further information, please reach out to our team at:
[email protected]
EGYPT
Source: Lloyds AIS, Observed Data
Suez Canal Per WeekTotalNorthboundSouthbound
Crude
Tanker
Product
Tanker
Dry BulkContainerLPG LNGChemicals
RoRo/
Vehicle
Carrier
Gen Cargo/
MPP
Other
Weekly Average Q2 25
(Week 14-26)
236.85119.15 117.69 64.62 3.00 57.7735.31 5.923.62 22.23 6.15 19.08 19.15
Weekly Average Q1 25
(Week 1-13)
+4.8 +0.8 +4.0 +8.8 +0.4 -2.9 -2.9 0.1+0.2 -1.0 +0.5 -0.2+2.1
Average Weekly Suez Canal Transits: Week 1-26/2025
The Suez Canal Authority recently welcomed two major CMA CGM
megaships, CMA CGM JULES VERNE and CMA CGM ADONIS, through
the canal. CMA CGM JULES VERNE, a 180,000-ton vessel, led the
northbound convoy from Malta to Jeddah, while the 164,000-ton CMA
CGM ADONIS headed the southbound convoy from Singapore to
Alexandria.
These transits follow Circular No. 3/2025, which offers a 15% toll
discount for vessels over 130,000 tons. The SCA aims to encourage the
return of large containerships via the canal by offering more flexible
pricing amid ongoing regional challenges. Admiral Ossama Rabiee
highlighted that these megaships demonstrate environmental and
operational efficiency, further reinforcing the Suez Canal’s strategic
role as a shortened and secure global trade route. Read more here .
Suez Canal Welcomes CMA CGM Megaships
MIDDLE EAST UPDATE
Update from our analyst at Guardian
In Guardian, our Risk Advisory team closely monitors the Middle East
developments to aid our clients with insights and operational
recommendations. The Iran-Israel conflict escalated when, on 13 June, Israel
launched a surprise aerial and drone strike deep inside Iran, targeting nuclear
installations (Natanz, Fordow, Tehran), military bases, high-ranking generals,
and nuclear scientists, code-named Operation Rising Lion. Iran responded on
the same day with a massive counterattack, launching hundreds of missiles
and drones at Israel. The fighting continued, with the US getting involved on
22 June, conducting targeted strikes also on Iran's nuclear facilities. A fragile
ceasefire was brokered on 24 June, which remains in place to date.
Iran’s parliament passed a non-binding resolution to block the Strait of
Hormuz, the world's most critical oil chokepoint, though this is still pending
Supreme Court approval. Equally, despite the lull in direct fighting, the US
Navy claims to have intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at Israel. There is a risk
of GPS jamming and cyberattacks (notably from Iranian-backed hacker
groups) in the region, which have reportedly targeted maritime and energy
sectors. Port disruptions and temporary halts at Haifa and Bandar Abbas have
resumed in late June.
