Shipping Arabia, November 2, 2026 – The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Belgium’s DEME Group are exploring new cooperation opportunities in dredger maintenance, marine unit repairs and dredger hull construction. The discussions build on a partnership spanning more than 70 years in dredging and marine engineering.
SCA Chairman and Managing Director Adm. Ossama Rabiee met with DEME Group Area Director Eng. Amedeo Peyron at the Authority’s headquarters, the Al-Irshad building, in Ismailia. The meeting also included DEME Area Manager Eng. Wael El Alfy and SCA Dredging Department Director Eng. Tarek Gharib.
Suez Canal Authority and DEME Discuss Shipyard Cooperation
During the meeting, Rabiee expressed appreciation for the longstanding strategic partnership between the two organizations. He emphasized the SCA’s commitment to maintaining close coordination with DEME while keeping pace with the latest international developments in dredging technology.
The discussions addressed potential cooperation in maintaining and repairing dredgers and other marine units at SCA shipyards. Both sides also explored opportunities for cooperation and partnerships in dredger hull construction.
These areas represent potential opportunities to extend their existing relationship beyond dredging operations into vessel maintenance, repair and construction activities.
SCA Expands Dredging Fleet Capabilities and Operations
Rabiee highlighted the SCA’s fleet modernization program, particularly the addition of the dredgers MOHAB MAMISH and HUSSEIN TANTAWY. He described the two vessels as the latest and largest dredgers in the Middle East.
Both dredgers have participated in the Suez Canal’s southern sector development project, demonstrating their role in the Authority’s ongoing waterway development activities.
The SCA has also expanded the operational scope of its dredging fleet beyond the Canal itself. Its dredgers now participate in major national infrastructure projects, including the development of Egyptian ports and lake clearing operations.
This broader deployment reflects the Authority’s growing involvement in dredging and marine infrastructure projects across Egypt.
DEME Highlights Longstanding Partnership and New Suez Canal Project
Peyron reaffirmed DEME Group’s interest in pursuing further cooperation with the SCA, highlighting the opportunities created by their longstanding relationship. He expressed confidence in the Suez Canal and its development projects while identifying joint projects and technical expertise exchange as potential areas for future collaboration.
He also recalled DEME’s involvement in several Suez Canal development initiatives, particularly the New Suez Canal project.
According to Peyron, DEME deployed a fleet of 10 dredgers during the project and completed dredging works totaling 41 million cubic meters. The operation remains a significant example of cooperation between the Belgian marine engineering group and the Egyptian authority.
Peyron emphasized that the partnership provides a foundation for further joint activities and knowledge exchange in dredging and marine engineering.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Peyron presented a scale model of SPARTACUS, DEME Group’s latest dredger, to the Suez Canal Museum in Ismailia. The presentation marked the longstanding relationship between the two organizations.
Source: Suez Canal Authority
