Giant Cruise Liner MSC Euribia Transits Suez Canal after Red Sea Reroute

The Suez Canal Authority announced on Sunday the transit of the giant cruise ship MSC Euribia, one of the world’s largest passenger vessels, marking a notable passage through the strategic waterway as part of the southbound convoy.

The ship, operated by MSC Cruises, completed its crossing after entering the Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Originally sailing from the United Arab Emirates and bound for Malta, the vessel had reportedly been delayed for weeks near the Strait of Hormuz before altering its route. Instead of navigating around the Cape of Good Hope, it resumed its journey through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal toward Europe.

Measuring approximately 331 meters in length and 51.9 meters in width, the liquefied natural gas-powered vessel sails under the Maltese flag. At the time of transit, it carried a crew of 192 personnel.

In line with established protocol for first-time transits, Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie delegated senior pilots to board the vessel, welcome its crew, and present a commemorative plaque to the ship’s captain, an official gesture marking the significance of the occasion.

The canal also witnessed the passage of another զբ cruise ship, Celestyal Journey, which transited  within same convoy en route from the UAE to Turkey. The vessel measures 219 meters in length and 30 meters in width.

Rabie emphasized that the continued transit of major cruise liners reflects the canal’s enduring appeal as a primary maritime corridor linking East and West. He pointed to ongoing infrastructure upgrades, particularly the southern sector development project, which has expanded navigational safety by widening the canal by 40 meters along a key stretch and extending dual-lane sections through the Bitter Lakes.

According to official figures, a total of 45 vessels crossed the canal in both directions on Sunday, with a combined net tonnage of approximately 1.7 million tons.

The successful transit of large-scale passenger ships underscores the Suez Canal’s operational resilience and strategic importance, even as global shipping routes continue to adjust to evolving regional dynamics.