Egypt’s Suez Canal sees return of ultra-large ships

The giant container ship CMA CGM JULES VERNE successfully transited Egypt’s Suez Canal on Saturday, marking the French shipping line’s first southbound voyage through Bab el-Mandeb and its third overall transit through the canal this year. The vessel is 396 metres long, 53.6 metres wide, with an 11.5-metre draft and a total capacity of 176,000 tons.

Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Osama Rabie inspected the vessel during its passage, highlighting the canal’s readiness to accommodate ultra-large container ships and ensuring all necessary safety measures were in place.

Rabie also oversaw the first southbound transit of CMA CGM HELIUM from Singapore to Alexandria. The ship measures 335 metres in length, 51 metres wide, with a 9.5-metre draft and a total capacity of 130,000 tons.

On Saturday, the canal witnessed the transit of 38 vessels with a combined net tonnage of 1.7 million tons, reflecting its capacity to handle significant maritime traffic. The chairman directed the deployment of senior canal pilots, tugboat assistance, and real-time monitoring to guarantee safe navigation.

He noted that renewed stability in the Red Sea is creating a new reality for the shipping community, prompting shipping lines to reconsider transit schedules through the Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal. The Authority will intensify discussions with major shipping lines to facilitate the phased return of container vessels through trial voyages, partial returns, or full reintegration.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser