These indicators point to the beginning of a gradual recovery in maritime traffic through the canal.
Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, stated the number of transiting vessels increased by 5.8%, while net tonnage rose by 16% during first half of FY2025/2026, resulting in an 18.5% growth in revenues compared to the same period of FY2024/2025.
These indicators point to the beginning of a gradual recovery in maritime traffic through the canal.
Rabie added that current indicators suggest further improvement in the canal’s revenues in the coming period, particularly as a number of shipping lines have resumed transiting the canal, supported by improved security conditions in the Red Sea region.
He emphasized that the Peace Summit hosted in Sharm El Sheikh played a pivotal role in restoring security and stability to the region, sending strong reassurance messages to the global maritime community regarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait.
These remarks were made during an expanded meeting held at the Pilots Building in Ismailia, attended by representatives of 20 shipping lines and maritime agencies, in the presence of Vice Chairman Lieutenant General Ashraf Atwa, members of the Authority’s Board of Directors, and prominent figures from the maritime community.
The meeting was part of the Authority’s regular consultations aimed at enhancing coordination with clients regarding sailing plans and schedules for the upcoming phase.
At the outset of the meeting, Rabie expressed his appreciation for the role played by shipping lines and maritime agencies in strengthening partnership relations with the Suez Canal, stressing that continuous engagement with clients is a cornerstone of the Authority’s strategy amid ongoing changes in the global maritime transport sector.
He noted that current conditions strongly support the return of all shipping lines to the traditional East–West global trade route via Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal, describing it as the most efficient and sustainable route compared to available alternatives.
Rabie also reviewed the Authority’s efforts to upgrade the navigational channel and enhance maritime safety, highlighting the expansion and duplication project in the southern sector, as well as the introduction of a new package of navigational services aimed at improving service levels for transiting vessels.
Regarding incentives, he explained that the Authority has introduced facilitation measures, including renewed circulars granting a 15% discount to container ships with a net tonnage of 130,000 tons or more, whether laden or ballast.
He added that the Authority is currently studying the introduction of additional incentives for specific vessel types, based on customer proposals.
In closing, Rabie reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to reviewing all proposals submitted by partners and clients, while maintaining a policy of direct communication to keep pace with developments in global maritime traffic and further enhance the competitiveness of the Suez Canal.
