Egypt: 47 ships re-routed its maritime navigation to Suez Canal in February due to stability in Red Sea

Egypt Today

23-02-2025

Head of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Osama Rabie gives a speech the opening of the 14th Annual International Maritime Transport and Logistics Conference (Marlog 2025)- press photo
CAIRO – 23 February 2025: The positive signs of returning stability to the Red Sea region have led to 47 ships adjusting their routes to pass through the Suez Canal instead of the Cape of Good Hope since the beginning of this month, stated Head of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Osama Rabie, on Sunday.
Rabie made these comments during his speech at the opening of the 14th Annual International Maritime Transport and Logistics Conference (Marlog 2025), organized by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, under the auspices of the League of Arab States and in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, which runs from February 23-25.
The SCA chairman emphasized that the ongoing Red Sea crisis has posed unprecedented security challenges in the region, affecting the stability and sustainability of global supply chains. This underscores the need for joint efforts to mitigate the crisis's negative consequences and ensure the continuity of maritime services.
He outlined the efforts the authority has undertaken to reduce the impact of the crisis on customers, including maintaining continuous, effective communication with shipping lines; stabilizing pricing policies; and offering a comprehensive package of marine and logistical services. These services cover ship maintenance and repair, marine rescue, pollution control, marine ambulance, crew replacement, and refueling, designed to meet both normal and emergency conditions.
Rabie noted that the positive indicators of stability returning to the Red Sea region had resulted in 47 ships altering their routes to pass through the Suez Canal instead of the Cape of Good Hope. He anticipated that more shipping lines will follow this trend as stability continues to improve.
Despite these challenges, Rabie emphasized that the Suez Canal has successfully continued its ambitious development plans, with the support of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This has ensured the canal's readiness and enhanced the level of services provided to customers.
He highlighted a key achievement in the canal's infrastructure—the completion of the southern sector development project in two parts, which is now operational for global trade. This development brings several benefits, including increased navigational safety, reduced water currents' effects on passing ships, and an increase in the canal's capacity by an average of 6-8 ships per day.
Rabie also discussed ongoing efforts to localize the industry for building marine units at the authority's affiliated shipyards and companies. He announced the establishment of the first factory for building floating concrete pontoons at the Canal Ports Company, the first of its kind in Egypt and Africa. This facility will produce pontoons for yacht marinas and small floating moorings at 40 percent lower costs than importing them.
Additionally, Rabie noted significant progress in establishing the marine locomotive industry at the SCA's shipyards, with cooperation from the private sector. The authority's companies also boast considerable expertise in building marine launches, halls, floating bridges, and ferries.
At the conclusion of the opening session, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Osama Rabie, toured the pavilion dedicated to the authority's affiliated companies at the IME 2025 Marine Services and Equipment Exhibition, held alongside the Marlog Conference. The exhibition attracted wide participation from local and international companies in port services, maritime transport, petroleum, and related fields.