"Positive indicators bode well for the recovery of traffic through the within the upcoming period."
Significant improvement in the Canal's traffic statistics during the first half of the financial year 2025/2026
5.8% increase in the number of transiting vessels, 16% in tonnages and a rise of 18.5% in revenues compared to the first half of the last financial year.
Representatives of maritime agencies: "The Canal will soon reap the fruits of the Egyptian State's political and diplomatic endeavours towards promoting security and stability in the Red Sea region."
Upcoming breakthrough... Numerous major shipping lines are considering an experimental transit through the Canal after the situation has stabilized in the Red Sea region.
There are no sustainable alternative to the Suez Canal in light of the increased cost of navigating around the Cape of Good Hope.
The return is inevitable and logistical arrangements for the voyages' route change may take a while.
Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, held a broad meeting with representatives of 20 shipping lines and maritime agencies. The meeting, held at the SCA's headquarters, Al-Irshad building, in Ismailia, was attended by Adm. Ashraf Atwa, Deputy Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, a number of SCA board members and key players in the shipping community.
This meeting is the latest in a series of periodical meetings held by the SCA to promote discussions and ceaseless coordination with its clients on navigation plans and schedules within the upcoming period in light of the stability in the Red Sea and Bab El-Mandab region.
At the outset of the meeting, Adm. Rabiee expressed his gratitude to the representatives of the shipping lines and maritime agencies for their active participation in promoting partnerships and cooperation with the SCA and constructive efforts to serve the maritime transport industry.
H.E. underscored the vital role Egypt, led by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-sisi, has played through holding the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit. This Summit which has succeeded in restoring security and stability to the region and has conveyed a message of reassurance to the global shipping community on the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab El-Mandab region.
Adm. Rabiee also highlighted that the circumstances are ripe for the return of all shipping lines in light of the positive indicators encouraging the return to navigating one of the most important navigation routes in the world through Bab El-Mandab and the Suez Canal given that it is the best sustainable route for global trade between the East and the West.
H.E. stated that naviagtion statistics during the first half of the financial year 2025/2026 witnessed a significant improvement; recording a 5.8% increase in the number of transiting vessels and a 16% rise in net tonnages which was positively reflected in the growth of revenues by 18.5% compared to the same period of the financial year 2024/2025.
Adm. Rabiee added that the present indicators bode well for Suez Canal revenues especially as a number of shipping lines have returned to transiting through it as a direct result of stability in the Red Sea region.
H.E. demonstrated the developments of the waterway's development strategy as well as the efforts of developing navigational services and increasing the factor of navigational safety which was achieved through the execution of of the southern sector's expansion and doubling and introduction of a bundle of new navigational services.
On his part, Adm. Ashraf Atwa, Deputy Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, emphasized the importance of holding these periodical meetings due to the direct interaction they ensure with key players in the global shipping community. H.E. stressed that the stabilized security conditions in the Red Sea region make the return of shipping lines to transiting through the Canal a pressing need to ensure the efficiency of global supply chains and trade.
Mr. Bahaa Badr, Chairman of Arabian Gulf Marine Trading Co. (agent of EVERGREEN LINE), said that all the efforts exerted by the SCA pertaining to the ceaseless development of the waterway, the introduction of new maritime services as well as the horizontal expansion in numerous fields remain appreciated by all clients of the SCA. He also emphasized his agency’s keenness on providing periodical reports to clients on the stable situation and stressing the Canal’s readiness to receive the returning vessels as well as the forecasted traffic of 2026.
On this same note, Rear Admiral Mohamed Abdel Qader Gaballah, Chairman of the Suez Chamber of Shipping, lauded the consecutive developments in the SCA's activities as well as its marketing policies towards the return of all shipping lines. H.E. stressed that the return of one of Maersk's maritime services to the Red Sea region and the Suez Canal represents a powerful message of reassurance that conditions in the Red Sea are completely safe. This return also acts as an incentive for other shipping lines to return.
In this regard, Mr. Adel Ellameey, Chairman of Port Said Chamber of Shipping, praised the SCA's efforts across various sectors. He proposed organizing an international conference to convey messages of reassurance to the clients, and called for the continuity of providing incentives and reductions as well as announcing new facilitations targeting specific types of vessels.
Adm. Rabiee followed-up on that proposal highlighting that the SCA has already provided incentives and extended numerous navigation circulars; one of which grants a 15% reduction to container ships of a tonnage of 130 thousand tons or more (laden or in ballast), pointing out that the SCA is currently working on studying the provision of additional options and incentives to some types of vessels.
On his part, Mr. Hany El-Nady, A.P.Møller-Maersk Group Representative in MENA, underscored that the return of one of the Group's maritime services to the Suez Canal comes as an assurance of the deeply-rooted partnership between both parties. It is also considered an important step on the way to the full-capacity return, which represents a positive indicator for all shipping lines on the improvement of the situation. He also expressed his aspiration that the upcoming period witnesses more positive developments, experimental transits and higher traffic.
Mr. Amr El-Shafei, Operations Manager at CMA CGM Group, commended the Suez Canal Authority for its early announcements regarding the renewal of incentive and reductions. He noted its vital role in enabling shipping lines to develop their strategies and navigation schedules that can extend up to six months in advance. He suggested exploring the possibility of offering additional incentives linked to the number of transiting vessels to encourage shipping lines to return to the Canal in greater numbers.
Mr. Ahmed Mekawy, representative of Gulf Agency Company, pointed out that, recently, a significant number of clients, particularly owners and charterers of LNG carriers, have shown interest in the latest Suez Canal transit updates and have submitted inquiries about transit details. He anticipates a marked increase in the number of vessels and cargo volumes across all vessel types and sizes in 2026.
Mr. Mekawy emphasized the patriotic role of shipping agencies in connecting the Canal with its clients to bolster the Egyptian economy. He proposed that the Suez Canal Authority establish an institute to train shipping agents, equipping them to become well-trained representatives who can project a positive image of the Canal globally.
For his part, Mr. Waseem Shoukry, representative of Wilhelmsen, anticipated an increase in the number of LNG carriers transiting the Suez Canal in the coming period, driven by the expansion of the business in this sector. He emphasized the agency's commitment to conveying a clear message to its clients regarding the Egyptian political leadership's focus on bolstering stability in the Red Sea region and its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of navigational services in the Canal.
Mr. Mohamed Marzouk, representative of the Leth agency, shared a positive response from clients, particularly following the return of some CMA CGM vessels and the resumption of transits by some Maersk vessels. He predicted a significant increase regarding vessel numbers this year and suggested offering reductions based on the number of decks of container ships, in order to expedite the return of these mega vessels.
Similarly, Mr. Ehab Atta, representative of ONE agency, affirmed that providing attractive incentives, developing navigational services, and modernizing the maritime fleet will play a pivotal role in accelerating the return of vessels to the Canal at their pre-Red Sea crisis levels.
Mr. Ehab Fathy, Operations Manager of the shipping line MSC, concurred with this proposal, expressing his support for the idea of offering new incentives to encourage major shipping lines to resume transiting through the Canal. He emphasized the importance of the Suez Canal Authority continuing its efforts to adopt an effective communication policy with all clients to motivate them to return, given the current stability in the region.
For his part, Mr. Mohamed Amer, representative of LBH Shipping Agency, praised the Suez Canal Authority's development of its media presence mechanisms, particularly the films documenting the transits of mega vessels and unconventional transit operations. He confirmed that he would utilize these materials to highlight the return of mega vessels to the Canal and to emphasize that conditions are now conducive to resuming transits, given the effective role these materials play in enhancing the positive image among clients. Mr. Amer pointed out that they had received new requests to transit through the Canal in the coming period, anticipating a return to normal shipping traffic throughout the year.
On his part, Mr. Mahmoud Abu El-Wafa, representative of El Hamamsy Marine Services, called for targeted incentives and reductions for specific categories of vessels to encourage their return. He praised the importance of the studies and analyses conducted by the Suez Canal Authority's Economic Research and Studies Unit, which monitors global shipping and trade.
In the same context, Mr. Ahmed Hammad, representative of Greenport Shipping Agency, stressed the Agency's commitment to regularly informing all clients of positive developments related to shipping traffic through the Canal. He noted receiving positive feedback indicating the anticipated return of vessels to transit through the Canal.
Mr. Abdel Aziz Nabil, representative of Inchcape Shipping Services, also emphasized the need to reduce marine insurance premiums for vessels transiting through the Red Sea to incentivize major shipping lines to resume service. He supported the proposal to offer incentives linked to the number of vessels to accelerate the return of these major shipping lines.
On his part, Mr. Marwan Al-Sammak, representative of the shipping line Hapag-Lloyd, anticipates that 2026 would mark the return of shipping lines to the Suez Canal, especially with the enhanced security situation in the region. He emphasized that the massive investments recently made by shipping lines in Egyptian ports represent a strong foundation that necessitates a return to transiting through the Canal to maximize the return of these investments.
The representative of Hapag-Lloyd stressed that adjusting navigation schedules requires logistical arrangements, costs, and time, which explains the gradual return of vessels. This necessitates offering incentives to expedite the process.
On his part, Mr. Hossam Saeed, representative of Clarkson Shipping Agency, thanked the Suez Canal Authority for organizing this periodic meeting, noting its significant benefit in staying informed about the latest navigation developments and current conditions. He emphasized his commitment to conveying this positive image to clients to encourage them to quickly resume transiting through the Suez Canal.
Ms. Yasmine ElNashar, representative of Medlevant Shipping, praised the development of the Authority’s media presence system, particularly its social media platforms. She affirmed the effectiveness of the visual content provided by the Authority's digital platforms in highlighting the latest developments for clients. She also requested further incentives to encourage shipping lines to resume their transits promptly.
Ms. Amany Helmy, representative of Dominion Shipping Agency, commended the Authority's commitment to holding these direct meetings to exchange visions and proposals that support navigation through the Canal. A proposal was made to organize an international conference or exhibition bringing together all shipping lines to send direct messages affirming the stability of the situation and the necessity of rerouting vessels to return to transiting through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. She added that a number of clients are currently considering trial transits following the stability of the situation, which bodes well for a breakthrough soon.
In a related context, Mr. Ashraf Sami, representative of the shipping line "YANG MING," stressed that the agency is conducting intensive and direct negotiations with its clients to expedite the return of vessels to transit through the Canal. He added that the Canal will soon reap the benefits of the Egyptian state's political and diplomatic efforts to bolster security and stability in the Red Sea region.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hany El-Salamony, representative of COSCO agency, affirmed that major shipping lines are fully aware that there is no sustainable alternative to the Suez Canal, especially given the significant increase in transit costs via the Cape of Good Hope. He added that the logistical arrangements for rerouting voyages may take some time, but expressed his optimism that these lines will return soon, thanks to the efforts exerted by the Suez Canal Authority.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, thanked all attendees, affirming that the Authority will carefully study all submitted proposals and maintain direct communication to monitor the latest developments in the Suez Canal.