Egypt Plans Expansion with a New Suez Canal Initiative

The Suez Canal Authority, led by Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, has embarked on an ambitious plan to expand the Suez Canal, aiming for a complete duplication of this crucial maritime passage. In his announcement during the Marlog maritime transport and logistics conference, Rabie disclosed that international firms are currently conducting feasibility studies for this grand project, with preliminary findings already presented to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Rabie highlighted the negative impact of Houthi attacks on the canal's operations, noting a 4% decline in ship traffic and a significant 51% drop in revenue. Despite these challenges, the Authority is pushing forward with developmental projects to enhance the canal's service capabilities and improve its southern section.

A key aspect of the expansion involves developing the canal's navigational channel in the Small Bitter Lakes area, aiming to extend the canal by an additional 10 kilometers. This expansion would increase the canal's total length to 82 kilometers, facilitating the passage of more ships and potentially reducing transit times.

Media commentator Ahmed Moussa, speaking on his TV program "On My Responsibility," emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. He outlined the government's vision for two parallel Suez Canals, spanning a combined length of 192 kilometers, to alleviate congestion and significantly cut waiting times for ships to just a few hours.

Moussa also pointed out that the project is designed to enhance safety and efficiency, allowing for an increased daily passage of ships. With President El-Sisi's endorsement, the expanded canal is expected to bolster Egypt's position as a global maritime hub, reducing average passage times to around 9 hours and marking a significant leap in the canal's operational capacity.