Ocean Network Express (ONE) Postpones East Coast 4 (EC4) Service Resumption Amid Red Sea Crisis Ocean Network Express (ONE) has decided to delay the reinstatement of its East Coast 4 (EC4) service, linking Asia with the US East Coast, due to ongoing security concerns stemming from the Houthi militia in the Red Sea. Initially suspended in late October due to market factors, the EC4 service was set to resume on Week 16, starting April 15 this year. However, ONE has opted to defer the launch of the EC4 service until there’s greater stability in the Red Sea region.
With the persistent threat of attacks on shipping since the hijacking of the car carrier Galaxy Leader in mid-November last year, the majority of container services that typically transit the Red Sea and the Suez Canal are now redirected through the longer Cape of Good Hope route. This rerouting significantly elongates transit durations and escalates fuel expenses. While the EC4 service remains on hold, ONE will maintain adjustments such as adding a Xiamen call to its EC1 service, incorporating a call in Yantian to EC2, and retaining additional calls in Charleston and New York for the EC5 service.