Lieutenant general/ Osama Rabea, head of Suez Canal authority has debated with Mr. Arsenio Dominges , IMO secretary general required procedures to start return of giant navigational lines to cross the Suez Canal after security stability in Red Sea region, simultaneously with implementation of truce agreement, this came during the meeting held in Suez Canal authority’s Pilotage building headquarters at Ismailia governorate.
The meeting comes after the official visit of IMO secretary general to inaugurate the international maritime organization regional office in Egypt. At the beginning of the meeting Rabea assured on Suez Canal readiness to work with full capacity to receive giant navigational lines services and mentioned preparations for the return of international trade traffic gradually to its normal through the Canal, and pointed out that the canal has already received a number of vessels of CMA CGM amongst the navigational line EPIC through trade between south Asia and Europe as from current 23 January.
.
Lieutenant general/ Osama Rabea has also stressed that SC has also succeeded in concentrating its efforts during the past period to accomplishment developing southern sector of the canal navigational waterway; raising the canal navigational security factor and its ability to confront any emergencies in addition to raising its capacity by 6-8 additional vessel.
He also mentioned accomplishment of required navigational preparations for the actual operation of the project of the canal duality with the small Morra lakes and which included setting buoys and necessary navigational marks to secure the canal and removing the dredgers from the waterway. This in addition to completion of training works for the authority’s pilots, in maritime training and simulation academy affiliated to Suez Canal authority, to cross securely in the southern sector
Rabea has also declared that it is decided that actual operation for SC duality with El Morra lakes for trade traffic crossing the Canal will be during the first quarter of current year 2025; once Egyptian Naval Forces maritime survey branch complete the issuance of the Canal new navigational maps; after the addition of the new dual part of length 10km, from kilometer 122 to 132canal numbering.
He again stressed on that the SC has achieved most of its ambitious strategies in order to announce for the green Suez Canal; by building maritime units with ecofriendly techniques and converting a number of them to work with biofuels in addition to operating already existing pilotage terminals along the canal with clean energy and adding new services to sustainably and securely get rid of maritime wastes.
Moreover, SC authority head reviewed the developments of the authority fleet’s various maritime units and adding 27 aluminum launches to enter service successively in order to serve the pilots rise and descend in addition to building 29 multi purposes trailer of pulling power 70tons, 6 trailers of 75 tons and other 7small ones of power ranging from 9-15 ton. Also currently building 10 others of power 90 tons with ASD propellers, currently receiving first of which during the first quarter of this year and the rest successively during 2025/2026 in addition to accomplishing building two rescuing trailers of power 190ton.
On the other hand, Mr. Dominges , IMO secretary general expressed his gladness restoring stability in the region and the gradual return of sailing in SC and hence retrieving stability for international supply chains that have been greatly affected during the last period, and stressed on the support that the organization gives to strengthen sailing in SC and short navigational routes that enables achieving more efficient operation equation for vessels; consuming the exact fuel and the sailing for shorter distances where there will be lower harm carbon emissions and guaranteeing a sustainable working environment for the seafarers.
He furthermore expects restoring SC navigational traffic to its norm gradually, as there is no other sailing alternative to which, due to the non-availability of main infra-structure to provide with different navigational services and reduce of navigation security factors.
Mr. Dominges, also praised the rapid developments that the Canal has witnessed concerning navigational waterway developments and updating provided shipping navigational and logistic services; and that copes with IMO that supports secure developed ecofriendly services for the shipping community, and pointing out to the joint work with the Suez Canal to coordinate advanced training programs in the field of pollution combating. Finally the IMO delegation has visited the navigation control center, maritime training and simulation center followed by a visit to Suez Canal museum and saw and got acquainted with latest works in SC yacht marina.
