Maritime Services

Shipping Arabia, September 25, 2026 – Suez Canal traffic continued to recover in August, with 1,358 vessels carrying 68.3 million net tonnes through the waterway as monthly revenue climbed 56.7% year-on-year to $567.1 million.

Suez Canal Authority Chairman and Managing Director Adm. Ossama Rabiee announced the figures during Egypt’s World Maritime Day 2026 event in Alexandria, saying navigation through the canal remains regular and marine services are operating at full readiness.

August vessel transits increased 27% from 1,070 ships a year earlier, while net tonnage rose 51.1% from 45.2 million tonnes. Revenue increased from $326 million in August 2025 to $567.1 million this year.

Rabiee said recent navigational reports point to improving traffic levels following the disruption to global shipping and supply chains caused by regional and international developments in recent years.

Alongside efforts to support the recovery of canal traffic, the SCA is expanding its maritime services and industrial activities as part of a strategy to diversify revenue beyond transit fees.

The authority has been developing its shipyards and affiliated companies to expand the domestic construction of marine units while pursuing private-sector partnerships and international markets.

Its growing portfolio of services includes shipbuilding and repair, bunkering, marine ambulance services and crew changes, providing additional support to vessels during their Suez transits.

The SCA is also expanding its involvement in port development and maritime training outside Egypt. Rabiee highlighted the authority’s participation in the redevelopment and reopening of Sirte Port in Libya after 14 years of closure, while its Maritime Training and Simulation Academy has modeled Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al-Khair Port.

The authority is also negotiating work involving the simulation of two ports in Namibia, alongside training programmes for pilots and tug masters.

The latest traffic figures add to signs of a gradual recovery in Suez Canal activity as shipping lines reassess longer Cape of Good Hope diversions and selected services return to the Red Sea-Suez route.

Source: Suez Canal Authority

Shipping Arabia, September 21, 2026 – Egypt’s Suez and Red Sea Chamber of Shipping has called for stronger coordination across the maritime community as shipping companies and service providers navigate operational challenges and changing conditions affecting the sector.

The chamber reviewed its activities during its ordinary general assembly, chaired by Rear Adm. Abdel Qader Gaballah, with the participation of members including Capt. Mohamed Naguib, Chairman of Flex Shipping Agencies and Yacht Tourism.

The meeting reviewed the chamber’s board report, financial statements and final accounts for the financial years ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2026, alongside its proposed budget for 2026/2027. Members also considered amendments to parts of the chamber’s financial regulations and membership-related matters.

Following the formal agenda, shipping industry representatives discussed problems and operational challenges facing chamber members and the wider maritime community, with the meeting providing a platform for companies to raise concerns and propose practical solutions.

Gaballah said closer coordination between the chamber and its members would be increasingly important in addressing challenges facing the sector, emphasizing continued dialogue and collective discussion of issues affecting maritime businesses.

Naguib similarly stressed the importance of cooperation between shipping companies, the chamber and relevant authorities to create a more efficient operating environment capable of responding to changes affecting maritime transport.

He said greater coordination would support the competitiveness of Egyptian ports and Egypt’s position as a regional and international hub for trade, maritime transport and marine services.

The discussions come as Egypt continues expanding port and logistics infrastructure while seeking to strengthen the competitiveness of its maritime sector and the role of its ports across Mediterranean, Red Sea and Suez Canal trade routes.

Source: Almal News