- The Suez Canal witnesses the transit of the mega container ship CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, one of the largest container ships in the world, signaling the full capacity return of the French Group's vessels.
- The container ship MAERSK SEBAROK also transited through the Canal as part of the northbound convoy after transiting through Bab el-Mandab strait.
- Admiral Ossama Rabiee: "The commencement of the return of major shipping lines is the culmination of the Suez Canal Authority's intensive marketing efforts over the past period."
Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, announced the commencement of a new phase in the return of container ships affiliated to major shipping lines to transit through the Suez Canal. The Canal witnessed the transit of the mega container ship CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, one of the world's largest container ships, as part of the southbound convoy, while the container ship CMA CGM ADONIS, carrying 154,000 tons of cargo, transited as part of the northbound convoy, following the announcement of the full capacity return of the French Group's vessels.
The mega container ship CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, operating on liquefied natural gas, led the southbound convoy, on its voyage from Morocco to Malaysia. This mega vessel, affiliated to the French Group CMA CGM, is one of the largest container ships in the world and the largest container ship to transit through the Canal in two years. The vessel is 400 meters in length, with a beam of 62 meters, and a net tonnage of 231,000 tons. It can carry up to 23,000 TEUs.
At the same time, the Suez Canal also witnessed, today, the transit of the container ship MAERSK SEBAROK as part of the northbound convoy. The vessel transited through Bab el-Mandab strait on its voyage from Port of Salalah in Oman, bound for the United States. This marks the first time a container ship affiliated to MAERSK Group has transited the Canal since the signing of the strategic partnership agreement between the two parties.
The vessel is 318 meters in length, with a beam of 40 meters, a draft of 14 meters, and a gross tonnage of 82,000 tons.
In this regard, Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, stressed that the return of major shipping lines is the culmination of the Authority's intensive marketing efforts over the past period. These efforts resulted in the French Group CMA CGM announcing its full capacity return to transit through the Canal, and also MAERSK Group beginning its gradual return.
Furthermore, the chairman of the Authority pointed out that these significant steps will have a profound impact on bringing about positive changes in the maritime transport market. H. E. urged other shipping lines to adjust their schedules and resume their voyages from the Red Sea region and Bab el-Mandab strait through the Suez Canal.
Finally, Admiral Rabiee stressed that the next year will witness a gradual improvement in Canal traffic rates, reaching normal rates in the second half of the year.
