U.S. Central Command’s Director for Strategy visits Egypt's Suez Canal chairman

CAIRO – 20 April 2021: Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie received Tuesday U.S. Central Command’s Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy Scott Benedict and accompanying delegation in Ismailiyah.

Rabie expressed appreciation for the offer made by the United States during the stranding of container ship MV EVER GIVEN about contributing in the refloatation of the vessel.

 

The chairman reiterated the authority's diligence to guarantee the freedom of navigation in the Suez Canal and provide maritime security. That is accomplished by the presence of qualified pilots, ship parking lots, surveillance towers, double-track passages, and military security.  

On his side, Benedict congratulated Egypt on the refloatation of the ship in record time lauding the efforts deployed by the Suez Canal Authority to make such an achievement amid that complex situation. He added that such success confirmed the importance of the Suez Canal to the world, and proved the ability and competence of the Egyptian administration of that international waterway.

The U.S. Central Command’s director for strategy, plans, and policy expressed appreciation for what the Suez Canal Authority had offered to ensure the safe crossing of aircraft carrier "Eisenhower," and for the cooperation and effort made the Egyptian Armed Forces to secure its navigation.

Benedict said the United States has confidence in the futuristic Egyptian vision for the development of the Suez Canal and the area surrounding it.

Chairman Rabie awarded the Suez Canal Shield to the American commander who gave him in return a souvenir.

 

The length of MV EVER GIVEN is 40 meters, its width is 59 meters, and its cargo capacity is 224,000 tons. The cargo ship is operated by the Taiwanese company "Evergreen Marine Corp," and owned by the Japanese company Shoei Kisen Kaisha. It was heading from China to the Netherlands.

Rabie had stated that the negotiations with the Japanese company are underway over the compensations estimated at $900 million. The compensations would make up for the lost revenues during the stranding hours and the cost of equipment used to refloat the ship over six days from March 23 to March 29 as well as moral loss.