Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), met with Soren Toft, CEO of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to discuss the impact of the developments in the Red Sea region and ways of joint cooperation.
As announced, the meeting discussed the latest developments in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab region on global navigation, and reviewed the navigation policies of MSC shipping line through the Suez Canal.
The Chairman, once again emphasized that the Suez Canal has not stopped providing its navigational and maritime services since the outbreak of the Red Sea crisis, but persisted to develop its services and introduce a package of new navigational services that were not provided before, most notably maritime salvage, ship repair and maintenance, crew change, water ambulance, and others.
Furthermore, on his part, Soren Toft, CEO of MSC has confirmed his keenness to follow up closely the developments in the situation in the Red Sea, and awaiting a lasting breakthrough and a full-scale stability in the region, pointing out that the situation remains complicated, lauding the SCA’s role in dealing with the current challenges with agility and understanding the nature of the stage and the clients’ demands.
We do not prefer navigating around the Cape of Good Hope, and we are waiting for the situation to stabilize to return to transit through the Suez Canal.
…said Soren Toft.
Toft explained that the Cape of Good Hope is not the preferred option for the shipping line given that it lacks navigational services which means that navigating it requires being careful more often, expressing his hopes for the permanent restoration of stability to the region which will be reflected in MSC vessels returning once more to transiting through the Suez Canal.
The meeting was attended by a number of the Suez Canal Authority board members as well as a delegation of MSC Egypt representatives that included Tarek Fahmy, CEO of MSC Egypt, Karim Fahmy, Business Development, MSC Egypt, Ezz Eldeen Salem, Operation Manager, MSC Egypt, and Ehab Fathi, Director of Suez Canal Zone.
The SCA Chairman expressed his appreciation for the long-standing cooperation with MSC, which has led to exploring new opportunities to benefit from the ship maintenance and repair services provided by SCA-affiliated shipyards.
Adm. Ossama Rabiee also emphasized that the SCA is steadfast in implementing its ambitious strategy for developing the waterway. He highlighted the completion and operational status of the Southern Sector Development Project, which enhances navigational safety for larger vessels transiting the Suez Canal.
Furthermore, Adm. Rabiee underscored the Authority’s commitment to maintaining direct and effective communication with its clients. He stressed the importance of meeting current requirements and responding to the challenges of the moment, pointing out the need to consolidate efforts to create working mechanisms that serve shared interests.
Concluding, the Chairman expressed his optimism about the ongoing discussions with MSC and emphasized the importance of continuing to exchange viewpoints and monitor developments, ultimately leading to positive decisions that will facilitate the gradual return of navigation to the region.
