Adm. Rabiee: "276 Transits affiliated to Maersk at a total net tonnages of 23.3 million tons during the past nine months."
Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, discussed ways of promoting cooperation with Maersk Group during a meeting with Ms. Rabab Boulos, Chief Operating Officer, Member of the Executive Board of A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, Mr. Ahmed Hassan, Vice President of Operations of A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, and Mr. Hani El-Nady, Representative of A.P. Moller-Maersk Group in the Middle East and North Africa, via video conference.
The meeting witnessed discussions of Maersk Group's navigation plans and schedules through the Suez Canal during the upcoming period.
At the outset of the meeting, Adm. Rabiee stressed underscored that the Suez Canal is witnessing a substantial return of Maersk-affiliated shipping services in light of the strategic partnership and long-standing relations between both sides.
In this context, H.E. mentioned that the Canal’s traffic reports have recorded 276 Maersk-affiliated transits at a total net tonnages of 23.3 million tons since the beginning of this year until the end of last September. That is compared to 146 transits at a total net tonnages of 7 million tons during the same period of last year.
Adm. Rabiee also highlighted that the current geopolitical changes and their impact on fuel prices and freight rates have proven beyond the shadow of doubt the strategic importance of the Suez Canal and the savings it secures for mega container ships, as well as increasing navigational safety compared to navigating around the Cape of Good Hope.
On her part, Ms. Boulos praised the bilateral relations the Group has with the Suez Canal Authority which have culminated in the return of numerous shipping services affiliated to the Group to transiting through the Suez Canal once more.
She expressed her anticipation for the return of all the Group’s shipping services to the Suez Canal by March of next year, affirming that the Suez Canal remains the optimal choice for the Group, given their shared strategic relationship.
Mr. Hassan also affirmed that the Group continues to update its navigation schedules, which will allow more of its shipping services to transit through the Suez Canal in the coming period.
In the same context, Mr. El-Nady pointed out that the Group is working to accelerate the return of all its shipping services to the Suez Canal route.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to hold further bilateral discussions to strengthen future cooperation.
