The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman met with representatives of 23 international shipping entities on 30 January and discussed about the latest developments in the Red Sea area.
On 30 January, Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director, Suez Canal Authority (SCA), met with representatives from 23 major shipping lines and agencies, as well as the Chairmen of the Suez, Port Said, and Alexandria Chambers of Shipping. The meeting, held at the SCA’s headquarters in Ismailia, focused on discussing the impact of the return of relative stability in the Red Sea and Bab El-Mandab region on Suez Canal navigation schedules.
The Chairman explained that the current situation in the Red Sea region is witnessing positive indicators that show stability returning to the region making it the perfect opportunity to take executive measures aimed at modifying navigational schedules to pave the way for the return of maritime navigation back to its normal course.
As stated, Rabiee reviewed the negative impacts of the Red Sea crisis on the Canal’s navigation statistics, which were severely affected in light of the security concerns and the tendency of many shipping lines to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope despite the high costs of maritime transportation in this route and its lack of navigational services, as well as the increase in environmental risks.
In addition he stressed that the Suez Canal has not stopped providing its maritime and logistical services since the beginning of the crisis, but rather has taken many measures to mitigate its repercussions on its clients and to meet the evolving requirements of the current stage by introducing a package of new navigational services which were not available before, such as providing maritime salvage services, water ambulance services, pollution control, ship maintenance and repair, and bunkering services.
Adm. Rabiee also sent a message of reassurance to the maritime community that the circumstance are ripe for the return of maritime navigation in the Red Sea region once again, announcing the Suez Canal’s readiness to operate at full capacity to receive the various navigational services of major shipping lines. He also expressed his understanding of the security concerns of the shipping companies and shipping lines and their keenness on maintaining the navigational safety of vessels and crew.
Furthermore, the Chairman of the Authority pointed out that the Suez Canal continued to implement its ambitious plans to develop the navigational waterway of the Canal despite the various challenges and announced that the Southern Sector Development Project has been completed and is set to commence its actual operation during the upcoming period.
Some of the attendees included:
- Bahaa Badr, Chairman, Arabian Gulf Marine Trading Co., agent of EVERGREEN LINE, who expressed appreciation for the SCA’s efforts in developing the Canal’s navigational waterway and introducing new services, which encourage major shipping lines to use the Suez Canal.
- Rear Admiral Ehab Elbanan, Chairman, Clarksons Company, emphasized the importance of continuous communication with all shipping lines and suggested considering temporary incentives to boost transits through the Canal.
- Hany El-Nady, Maersk Group Representative, MENA, reaffirmed Maersk’s readiness to resume Suez Canal transits as soon as the situation in the Red Sea region fully stabilizes.
Capt. Mohammed Badawi Managing Director, Gulf Agency Company, supported the idea of periodic meetings and the proposal for temporary incentives for certain vessel types. - Tariq Zaghloul, CEO, CMA CGM Egypt and Sudan Cluster, who highlighted the strategic importance of the Suez Canal to CMA CGM, noting daily vessel transits and anticipating continued stability in the Red Sea for the return of their full navigational services.
- Ehab Fathy, MSC Representative, discussed the maintenance and repair services provided by the SCA through its shipyards, particularly mentioning Port Said Shipyard’s work on MSC vessels.
- Mohamed Moselhy, Chairman, Alexandria Chamber of Shipping, who commended the SCA for continuous communication and reassuring messages that promote the normalization of navigation in the Canal.
- Adel Ellameey, Chairman, Port Said Chamber of Shipping, who stressed the need to communicate with insurance companies to reassess and classify the region as a safe zone for transit.
- Rear Admiral Abdel Qader Gaballah, Chairman, Suez Chamber of Shipping, who expressed hope for a breakthrough in returning navigation to the region and the importance of shipping agencies in conveying the true situation.
- Mamdouh Taha, CEO, COSCO Shipping Agency, confirmed that the return of major shipping lines through the Suez Canal is inevitable as the maritime community looks for sustained stability.
- Mahmoud El Kady, Business Development Manager, Kadmar Shipping, who noted a boom in yacht tourism in the Canal due to improved services by the SCA.
- Amany Helmy, General Manager, Dominion Shipping Agencies, suggested increasing incentives for yachts and cruise ships to encourage their transit through the Canal.
- Ahmed Al-Masry, Medlevant Shipping Agency Representative, who called for more focus on services for crews of Canal-transiting vessels.
- Capt. Mohamed El Boraey, GLOBAL LOGISTICS Agency Representative, stressed the need to attract all types of vessels, not just large containerships.
The meeting witnessed as well the participation of representatives of various other shipping lines and witnessed a consensus on the necessity of holding these meetings periodically.
