Latest news with #SuezCanalAuthority
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- General
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Suez Canal Authority: No injuries in RED ZED 1 Incident, investigation underway
CAIRO – 21 June 2025: Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), announced on Saturday that a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Authority's Accident Investigation Committee into the grounding of the RED ZED 1 diving vessel confirmed that there were no human casualties or injuries. He added that the vessel remains generally intact, with damage currently being assessed at the site of the incident, according to a statement issued the SCA Admiral Rabie noted that the Suez Canal Authority responded to the emergency with a high level of professionalism. The incident occurred on Friday when the RED ZED 1, part of the northbound convoy, experienced a sudden failure in its steering system, causing it to veer off course at kilometer 45 of the canal's marking system, near the Qantara West passenger ferry terminal. The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority affirmed that the swift and effective measures taken by the Authority successfully averted a potentially serious collision with the Qantara West ferry dock. He praised the high level of professionalism demonstrated by the Canal pilots aboard the RED ZED 1, who managed to prevent a direct, head-on impact between the vessel's hull and the dock. Instead, they executed a maneuver that resulted in a parallel collision, significantly minimizing potential damage. Rabie also commended the proactive efforts of the Qantara Pilot Station supervisors, who quickly detected the vessel's deviation from its course. Their timely intervention, including immediate coordination with the Qantara Ferry Terminal to evacuate all passengers and marine personnel at the site, played a crucial role in preventing any injuries or serious losses. Rabie also confirmed that navigation in the Suez Canal was not affected by the incident, as the situation was fully contained within a record time of 60 minutes. He emphasized that the movement of citizens between the two banks of the Canal at the Qantara ferry crossing continued uninterrupted. The affected ferry was promptly replaced with a standby vessel, ensuring the continuity of service. In parallel, the relevant committees of the Authority initiated the necessary procedures to assess the damage and carry out the required repairs.
Egypt Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Suez Canal Authority announces resurgence of giant ship transits after 15-month halt
Suez Canal Authority Chairman, Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, has announced the start of a new phase in the waterway's return to hosting mega container ships. This was marked by the passage of the container vessel CMA CGM OSIRISon Wednesday. The ship, with a total capacity of 154,000 tons, sailed as part of the southbound convoy from Singapore, heading to Alexandria Port via the Canal's new navigation channel. This vessel, part of the French shipping line CMA CGM, marks a significant return as the first large container ship to transit the Canal from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since March 2024. Its passage follows a temporary halt in such traffic due to regional challenges. The ship's transit is a direct result of the Suez Canal Authority's (SCA) marketing efforts, highlighted by a recent announcement offering a 15% discount for container ships with a net tonnage exceeding 130,000 tons, whether laden or empty. This incentive, outlined in Circular No. (3/2025), will be valid for three months. Measuring 366 meters in length, 51 meters in width, and with a draft of up to 49 feet, the vessel can carry up to 15,536 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). This makes it the first large container ship to sail from Bab el-Mandeb and directly benefit from the new discount, which aims to encourage mega-vessels to resume transiting the Canal. Suez Canal Authority Chairman, Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, underscored the Canal's ongoing commitment to effective engagement with clients. He emphasized that the Authority is taking every measure to encourage major shipping lines to resume using the Canal, particularly through the implementation of flexible pricing policies. These policies are designed to respond positively to global market changes and reinforce the Canal's standing as the premier maritime option for mega-vessels, despite current regional and economic challenges. He further noted that recent discussions with the management of the French shipping line CMA CGM have resulted in an agreement for several of the group's large vessels to once again transit the Canal.
CairoScene
4 days ago
- Business
- CairoScene
Suez Canal's 'Ismailia 1' Becomes Middle East's Largest Rescue Tug
The launch of Ismailia 1 marks a milestone in Egypt's maritime strategy, with eco-friendly design, high bollard pull, and plans to expand shipbuilding across national and private sectors. Jun 18, 2025 The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has introduced the Middle East's most powerful rescue tug, Ismailia 1, as part of its ongoing effort to modernise canal operations and enhance environmental sustainability. Built by Alexandria Shipyard (ASY), the vessel is the first of two tugs commissioned to support the authority's fleet. With a bollard pull capacity of 190 tons, Ismailia 1 measures 71.6 metres in length, 18.5 metres in width, has a draft of 7 metres, and can reach speeds of up to 16 knots. The tug is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning (DP) system for precision manoeuvring and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that reduces carbon emissions — a key element of the SCA's 'Green Canal' initiative. The launch marks the most extensive expansion of the SCA's tugboat fleet in three decades. Thirty new vessels have already been added, with bollard pull capacities ranging from 9 to 190 tons, aimed at strengthening canal operations and emergency response capabilities. The project also aligns with Egypt's broader maritime strategy to enhance domestic shipbuilding capacity and foster strategic industrial partnerships. Alexandria Shipyard, founded in 1962 and operating under the Ministry of Defence, has been a central force in the country's maritime sector, responsible for a large share of Egypt's commercial fleet and the nation's only domestically built oil rig. The construction of Ismailia 1 supports the SCA's localisation goals by developing internal manufacturing capabilities in collaboration with public institutions and private sector partners. The second vessel in the series, Ismailia 2, is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Egypt Today
10-06-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Maritime traffic through Red Sea by 60%: EU's Red Sea Aspides mission
Cairo – June 10, 2025: Since August 2024, maritime activity in the Red Sea has significantly increased, with daily vessel numbers rising by about 60%, now averaging between 36 and 37 ships per day. This marks a notable improvement from the 20 to 23 ships seen each day during the low point in August of the previous year, according to Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, who leads the EU's Red Sea Aspides mission. Despite this upward trend, current traffic levels still fall short of the 72 to 75 vessels per day that were typical before Houthi-related disruptions intensified in late 2023, indicating that full recovery has yet to be achieved. The Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group began targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea in November 2023, citing support for Palestinians amid Israel's war in Gaza. Rear Admiral Gryparis attributed the improvement in traffic partly to a ceasefire deal between the Houthis and the United States, which has reduced the frequency of missile and drone attacks. The last known assault on a commercial vessel occurred in November 2024. Nonetheless, he warned that no absolute guarantees can be made regarding ship safety in the region. Since its launch, the mission has provided armed escorts to nearly 500 ships, intercepted four ballistic missiles, and neutralized multiple aerial and maritime threats, including drones and remote-controlled attack boats. In February 2025, its mandate was expanded to include the interception of illegal arms shipments and vessels carrying sanctioned Russian oil. In a related effort to restore commercial confidence, Egypt's Suez Canal Authority introduced a 15 percent discount on transit fees starting May 15, applicable for large container ships for a period of 90 days. The move, responding to industry requests, aims to attract major shipping lines back to the route. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty later emphasized that restoring stable traffic through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal is essential to global trade, especially amid ongoing geopolitical tensions that have strained Egypt's economy.
Egypt Today
29-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Suez Canal Authority holds meeting with IUMI representatives
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) officials held an expanded meeting with representatives of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) on May 29, 2025- press photo CAIRO – 29 May 2025: The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) held an expanded meeting with representatives of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) to discuss key developments in the maritime insurance sector and strengthen cooperation between the two institutions. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Frédéric Denefle, President of IUMI; Mr. Lars Lange, Secretary General of IUMI; and Mr. Mohamed Hassan Farghali, Managing Director of the Suez Canal Insurance Company. Several members of the SCA's Board of Directors were also in attendance. Discussions focused on global trends and challenges affecting the maritime insurance sector, particularly in relation to the security situation in the Red Sea region, which has contributed to a noticeable increase in marine insurance premiums for vessels transiting the area. Both parties explored regional opportunities, mechanisms for future cooperation, and ways to enhance risk assessment strategies, especially in light of the positive security indicators emerging in the region. The meeting also reviewed the proactive safety measures undertaken by the Suez Canal Authority to ensure safe and efficient navigation. Egyptian officials reaffirmed the Authority's full commitment to maintaining the highest standards of navigational safety, backed by the Canal's strong safety performance metrics. In 2023, the Suez Canal recorded a navigational emergency rate of just 0.06%, a figure considered extremely low given that the Canal saw its highest annual traffic ever, with 26,434 ships transiting during the year. SCA representatives emphasized the Authority's ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and navigational capabilities, citing the success of the Southern Sector Development Project. This initiative has led to a 28% increase in navigational safety by reducing ocean current intensity and improving maneuverability for vessels, while also providing a comprehensive navigational support package. The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding of the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to support a secure, efficient, and sustainable maritime industry.
