Suez Canal Chairman Discusses with INTERCARGO Red Sea Developments

The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Osama Rabie, and Kostas G. Gkonis, the Secretary-General of the International Association of Dry Bulk Shipowners (INTER CARGO) discussed ways of joint cooperation and the impact of developments in the current situation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab region.

Rabie stressed the Suez Canal Authority’s keenness to open direct communication channels with its customers and continuous coordination with all international organizations and bodies concerned with maritime affairs to discuss sailing policies in the Suez Canal in light of the current circumstances, and to agree on joint work mechanisms that can reduce the effects of the crisis on the global trade movement. 

The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority pointed out the negative consequences of the current crisis on the global trade movement and global supply chains, which are expressed by the successive and unprecedented increases in the prices of freight and fuel, in addition to the delayed arrival of goods and other challenges that have cast a shadow on the shipping community recently.

He explained that the Suez Canal has taken several measures that would deal with the repercussions and challenges imposed by the current circumstances by providing a package of special maritime and navigational services such as maritime rescue services, ship maintenance and repair services, as well as maritime ambulance services.

Rabie added that the Suez Canal is continuing its efforts to develop the canal’s navigational course by completing work on the southern sector development project, in parallel with the development of its naval fleet and maritime services.

On his part, Secretary General of INTERCARGO stressed the importance that the association attaches to the factor of navigational safety, as the safety of marine crews, ships and cargo remains the greatest concern among the owners of the organization’s bulk vessels, which number more than 3,000 vessels.

Gkonis expressed his aspiration for joint coordination with the Suez Canal Authority to inform members of the Association of developments related to developments in the situation in the Red Sea region, and to send the necessary reassuring messages to deal with the challenges related to the security factor until the situation in the region stabilizes.

Xian Yong, Director of Operations at INTERCARGO expressed the International Association’s gratitude for the efforts made by the Suez Canal Authority to deal with the current challenges, stressing that the crisis requires joint cooperation and concerted efforts to reach work mechanisms that are in the interest of serving the shipping community, especially with the difficulty of predicting the end date of the crisis. .

Dimitris Monioudis, INTERCARGO Technical Committee Vice Chairman stressed that the Association is closely following all developments occurring in the Red Sea region, and their subsequent negative impacts on international shipping traffic transiting the canal.