Dredging

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

Shipping Arabia, October 8, 2026 – The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Kenya’s Tunasco are exploring a partnership focused on port development and marine construction in Kenya, including the potential establishment of a specialized company to undertake projects in the East African country.

Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, discussed the proposal with Tunasco Chairman Abdul Wali Sharif during a meeting at the authority’s headquarters in Ismailia.

The talks focused on opportunities for cooperation in the construction and development of ports in Kenya as the SCA seeks to expand its activities into African markets and contribute to regional development initiatives.

Proposed company for port and marine construction projects

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the possibility of forming a partnership between Tunasco and the Suez Canal Authority through Timsah Shipbuilding Company, one of the authority’s affiliated companies.

Under the proposal, the partners would establish a specialized company to operate in port works and marine construction in Kenya.

The meeting was also attended by Abdel Hakim Zakaria, Director of the Companies Department; Ahmed Ibrahim, Chairman of Timsah Shipbuilding Company; and Maj. Gen. Ehab Abdel Fattah and Maj. Gen. Assem El-Safty, board members of the Kenyan-Egyptian company.

SCA targets wider African markets

Rabiee said the Suez Canal Authority aims to open new markets across Africa and participate actively in development efforts based on the strategic interests and partnership relations linking Egypt with African countries.

He said the authority is ready to contribute to the development of Kenya’s marine infrastructure and transfer its expertise in sectors connected with maritime activity.

Potential areas of cooperation include port development, marine construction, dredging, shipbuilding, maritime unit construction and training.

The discussions therefore extend beyond port construction alone, with the SCA positioning its technical and operational capabilities across several maritime fields as part of the proposed cooperation.

Tunasco seeks access to SCA expertise

Sharif said Tunasco is looking to establish close cooperation with the Suez Canal Authority and benefit from its technical capabilities, human resources and extensive experience across different maritime activities.

He said cooperation with the SCA has been welcomed by the Kenyan government, particularly amid closer Egyptian-Kenyan relations over the past five years.

According to Sharif, the coming period is expected to include bilateral meetings with several Kenyan government officials. These discussions are intended to establish a general framework for cooperation and begin the steps required for implementation.

Tunasco brings local presence in Kenya

Tunasco has a local presence in Kenya and is involved in multiple infrastructure development projects.

The company’s position in the Kenyan market, combined with the SCA’s technical capabilities and the participation of Timsah Shipbuilding Company, forms the basis of the proposed partnership under discussion.

The talks remain focused on establishing a framework for cooperation in Kenya, with further government-level discussions expected before implementation steps begin.

Source: Suez Canal Authority

Shipping Arabia, September 19, 2026 – The Suez Canal Authority and Thailand are exploring cooperation in dredging, maritime training and other marine services, as the authority seeks to expand the international reach of expertise developed through operating one of the world’s busiest maritime waterways.

SCA Chairman and Managing Director Adm. Ossama Rabiee discussed the potential cooperation with Lertsak Pattanachaikul, Second Deputy Speaker of Thailand’s House of Representatives, during a meeting at the authority’s Al-Irshad headquarters in Ismailia on September 14.

The Thai delegation also included Thanawat Sirikul, Thailand’s Ambassador to Egypt, representatives of the House of Representatives and embassy officials.

Pattanachaikul said Thailand was interested in strengthening cooperation with the SCA and drawing on its long-standing experience in dredging and training, while Rabiee confirmed the authority’s readiness to begin practical cooperation through the Suez Canal Academy for Maritime Training and Simulation.

The meeting also covered the SCA’s expanding maritime activities beyond vessel transit. Rabiee highlighted efforts to localize the construction of marine units for operations in the canal and Egyptian ports, while developing opportunities to export locally built units to overseas markets.

The authority has also expanded its portfolio of maritime services, including ship repair and maintenance, marine salvage, water ambulance services, pollution control and waste collection, as part of efforts to diversify revenue and provide additional support to vessels using the canal.

Rabiee said the Suez Canal continues to perform its role as a critical maritime link between Asia and Europe despite challenges affecting regional shipping, emphasizing its importance to the continuity of global supply chains.

Sirikul said potential cooperation could extend beyond technical maritime activities to include maritime and cultural tourism, broadening the scope of engagement between Thailand and the canal authority.

The discussions come as the SCA increasingly looks to leverage its experience in dredging, shipbuilding, training and specialized marine services alongside its core role managing the Suez Canal.

Source: Suez Canal Authority