Suez Canal Chairman has announced a total of 47 ships have altered their routes to transit through the Suez Canal instead of the Cape of Good Hope since the beginning of February, as shipping lines respond to growing signs of stability in the Red Sea.
According to Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), this trend is expected to continue, with more vessels likely to return to the canal in the coming weeks as security conditions improve.
Speaking at the 14th International Maritime Transport and Logistics Conference (MARLOG 14) on Sunday, Rabie emphasized that the Red Sea crisis has created unprecedented security challenges, disrupting global supply chains and increasing costs for shipping companies.
He stressed the need for greater international cooperation to mitigate the crisis’s impact and ensure the uninterrupted flow of maritime trade.
SCA’s Strategic Response to the Red Sea Crisis
Rabie noted that the SCA has implemented several strategic measures to support shipping companies and minimize the effects of the crisis.
These measures include maintaining stable pricing policies to provide cost predictability for operators, strengthening direct communication with shipping lines to address concerns, and introducing new marine and logistics services.
The newly introduced services include ship maintenance, marine rescue, pollution control, medical evacuation, crew changes, and refueling services. These initiatives have helped reassure global shipping companies and contributed to the return of vessels to the Suez Canal as a preferred trade route.
Development Continues Despite Challenges
Despite ongoing challenges, Rabie confirmed that the Suez Canal Authority remains committed to its ambitious development plans under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
He announced that the southern sector expansion project has been successfully completed and is now fully operational. This project offers several key advantages, including enhanced navigational safety, reduced impact of water currents on transiting ships, and increased daily capacity to accommodate an additional six to eight vessels.
More Shipping Lines Expected to Return
The SCA chairman expressed confidence that, as stability in the region continues to improve, more shipping companies will opt for the Suez Canal instead of longer and more expensive alternative routes.
He noted that although security concerns, rising insurance costs, and supply chain disruptions initially led many companies to divert their vessels, recent developments indicate a gradual shift back to the Suez Canal.
Please be guided accordingly.
Best Regards
KADMAR Shipping