Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, received, today, Ambassador Robert Silverman, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Cairo, and a high-level diplomatic delegation at the Authority's headquartes, Irshad Building, Ismailia city. The meeting focused on ways to strengthen joint cooperation.
The delegation included Capt. William Gotten, US Naval Attaché, and Mr. Andrew Doehler, Economic Officer at the US Embassy. Also attending from the Suez Canal Authority were Dr. Fathy Abdelbary, Director of Planning, Research and Studies Department, and Eng. Abdel Rahman Ramadan, Director of Transit Department.
At the outset of the meeting, Admiral Ossama Rabiee emphasized the strategic importance of the Suez Canal as a vital link in supporting the stability of global supply chains and facilitating trade between East and West.
Admiral Rabiee pointed out that the Canal has successfully navigated the repercussions of geopolitical challenges in the region, continuing to provide uninterrupted navigation services around the clock while introducing a new package of maritime services to meet clients’ requirements under both normal and emergency circumstances.
H. E. added that the various challenges and rapidly evolving developments in the maritime transport industry have demonstrated the Canal’s unique standing within the global maritime community, owing to the navigational advantages it offers, as well as the operational cost savings and reductions in time and distance it provides.
In the same context, H. E. also addressed efforts to localize the maritime industry, highlighting the unprecedented growth witnessed by the Suez Canal in the construction of marine units, which enhances the delivery of diverse navigational services and opens new export opportunities.
Admiral Rabiee stressed that the Egyptian state is continuing to enhance the efficiency of the Suez Canal waterway through ongoing development projects, the most recent being the Southern Sector Development Project, which has successfully increased navigational safety in the sector by 28%.
On his part, Ambassador Robert Silverman, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Cairo, affirmed the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries, praising the fruitful cooperation with the Suez Canal Authority and its importance to American interests and global trade between Europe and Asia.
The Chargé d'Affaires also commended the Suez Canal Authority's diverse economic activities and its efforts to address various challenges, expressing his aspiration to strengthen joint cooperation with the Suez Canal Authority in new areas.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed prospects for cooperation in the development of shipyards and maritime services, as well as digital transformation.
Following this, Admiral Ossama Rabiee presented the New Suez Canal Commemorative Shield to Ambassador Robert Silverman and invited him to take a tour of the New Suez Canal and visit the Canal Museum.