Shipping Arabia, November 14, 2026 – The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Malta have discussed opportunities for maritime cooperation in training, tugboat construction and fishing vessel building. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral maritime relations and identifying areas for potential collaboration between the Authority and Maltese institutions.
SCA Chairman Adm. Ossama Rabiee met with Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary of Malta’s Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, on November 11 at the Authority’s Al Irshad Building headquarters in Ismailia, Egypt.
The meeting was also attended by Malta’s Ambassador to Egypt, André Spiteri, and Eng. Nashaat Nasr Eldin, Director of the SCA Communications Department.
Suez Canal Authority Highlights Shipbuilding and Maritime Expertise
During the meeting, Rabiee emphasized the longstanding strategic relations between Egypt and Malta. He noted that the two countries share similar positions on several important issues, creating opportunities to expand economic and maritime cooperation.
The SCA Chairman highlighted the Authority’s technical and operational expertise in dredging, marine construction, port works, ship maintenance and repair, and the construction of marine units.
He invited Maltese companies and institutions operating in the maritime sector to explore potential partnerships with the SCA and its subsidiaries. These opportunities could involve areas where the Authority has established technical capabilities and experience.
Rabiee also outlined the SCA’s continued engagement with international maritime institutions and industry stakeholders. He emphasized the importance of maintaining communication and cooperation to support maritime transport activities and the sustainability of global supply chains.
Furthermore, he highlighted the Authority’s efforts to modernize and develop navigation and logistics services provided to vessels transiting the Suez Canal.
According to Rabiee, the SCA has also expanded its activities and business lines through partnerships with local and international organizations, strengthening its engagement with the wider maritime industry.
Malta Expresses Interest in Maritime Training and Vessel Construction
For his part, Cutajar emphasized the Suez Canal’s strategic importance in connecting global maritime trade between the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean.
He explained that Malta’s economy is closely connected to maritime activity, making cooperation with the Suez Canal Authority an important opportunity to develop joint initiatives and strengthen relations between the two countries.
Cutajar identified maritime training, tugboat construction and fishing vessel building as areas of particular interest for Malta.
He expressed his intention to explore these opportunities through relevant Maltese institutions and organizations, working alongside the SCA to identify potential areas for cooperation.
The discussions highlighted the possibility of combining the Authority’s experience in marine engineering, vessel construction and maritime services with Malta’s interest in developing cooperation across these sectors.
However, the meeting focused on exploring potential opportunities, with no specific construction contracts or formal project agreements announced.
Reciprocal Visits and Working Meetings Planned
As part of the next steps, Cutajar indicated that the coming period would include reciprocal visits and working meetings between representatives of Egypt and Malta.
These engagements will provide opportunities for the two sides to examine potential cooperation in maritime training and the construction of tugboats and fishing vessels.
The proposed cooperation reflects the broader discussions between the SCA and Maltese representatives on expanding institutional engagement within the maritime sector.
Both sides emphasized the importance of maritime cooperation in strengthening bilateral relations, with future meetings expected to examine the areas identified during the discussions in Ismailia.
Source: Suez Canal Authority
