Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, announced that traffic through the Canal today witnessed the transit of the mega container ship CMA CGM VENDOME on its first voyage through the Canal amongst vessels of the northern convoy on its way from France to Malaysia.
The vessel, affiliated to the French shipping line CMA CGM, is 399.9 m. in length, has a beam of 61.3 m., a draft of 16 m. and its gross tonnage is 244 thousand tons. The vessel can carry up to 24 thousand TEUs on board and is equipped with an LNG fuel tank of a capacity of 18,600 m3 which enables it to make longer voyages between Asia and Europe.
The vessel operates as a part of the FAL 3 maritime service affiliated to (Ocean Alliance) providing its services on the trade route between The Far East and North-West Europe. This voyage is the first south-bound transit for this maritime service through the Canal since January of this year.
On his part, Adm. Rabiee gave directives that all necessary procedures be taken to ensure the vessel's safe transit through assigning it a number of the SCA's senior pilots and providing navigational aid through escort tugboats.
In accordance with the SCA's protocol with vessels transiting through the Canal for the first time, H.E. delegated Capt. Mahmoud Khairat Egeiz and Capt. Mabrouk Rashad Mabrouk, two of the SCA's most distinguished Senior Pilots, to board the vessel and welcome its crew members to the Suez Canal, as well as to present a commemorative gift to the Shipmaster.
Admiral Ossama Rabiee affirmed that the geopolitical challenges in the region have imposed new realities on the maritime transport market and global supply chains, making shorter transit times and operational savings a key factor in attracting the world's largest and most modern container ships to return to transiting through the Suez Canal instead of using the route of the Cape of Good Hope.
The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority emphasized that the transit of the mega vessel CMA CGM VENDOME through the Canal clearly reflects the strategic importance of the Suez Canal and demonstrates its readiness and status to accommodate the world's latest and largest container ships, as it is the optimal and most sustainable route for global trade between East and West.
Admiral Rabiee pointed out that CMA CGM's voyages during the period from January to May 2026 reached 104 voyages, with a total tonnage of 12.5 million tons, underscoring the Group's reliance on the Canal and its status as one of the world's most vital waterways.
The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority also noted that the Authority has successfully enhanced the quality of its maritime and navigational services and introduced new services to meet client requirements and ensure the highest maritime safety standards for mega vessels.
On his part, Capt. Daniel Martin, the ship's master, stressed that the French CMA CGM Group's policy is based on selecting the most efficient route that serves client interests, emphasizing that transiting through the Suez Canal remains the optimal option compared to using the Cape of Good Hope route.
Moreover, the ship’s master pointed out that transiting through the Suez Canal offers several advantages, most notably reducing voyage duration and fuel consumption. Furthermore, the Suez Canal provides a safe and smooth transit without risks. This stands in sharp contrast to navigation via the Cape of Good Hope route, particularly during adverse weather conditions, where vessels are required to reduce speed and extend voyage times.
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