Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority head highlights shipping resumption

Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority (SCA) head Osama Rabie discussed on Tuesday the resumption of major shipping lines through the canal as security conditions improve in the Red Sea region, as per an Egyptian Cabinet statement.

He confirmed that the Suez Canal is operating normally and is continuously improving to meet customer needs and industry standards, as per a statement by the authority. SCA head stated that the canal duplication project at the Small Bitter Lakes is set to begin operation in the first quarter of 2025, according to the statement.

Rabie’s announcements came during his meeting with Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO), in Ismailia on Tuesday. Dominguez headed a delegation for opening the regional representation office in Egypt.

Suez Canal is making progress towards becoming a green canal by using environmentally friendly technologies, biofuel, clean energy guidance stations, and new services for marine waste disposal, the statement added.

Meanwhile, Dominguez expressed optimism about the gradual return of normal transit through the canal and looked forward to enhanced cooperation with the SCA, including advanced training programmes in pollution control.

The IMO Secretary-General praised the advancements in the Suez Canal projects and modernisation of maritime services to meet IMO’s safety, technology, and environmental goals.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama