Suez Canal Authority, ICS sign MoU to boost maritime services

CAIRO – 4 November 2024: Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, met with Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), in Ismailia to discuss joint cooperation. This meeting addressed the impact of current challenges in the Red Sea region on global supply chains.

Key officials attended, including senior ICS figures and representatives from the Japanese Shipowners' Association. Rabie highlighted the canal’s efforts to maintain uninterrupted services and engage with global maritime organizations to ensure supply chain stability. He noted that security concerns have driven many shipping companies to use alternative, costlier routes.

Rabie outlined the canal's strategic plan to expand its logistics services to cater to ships’ needs, reinforcing its status as a regional maritime and logistics hub. Guy Platten expressed optimism about continued cooperation, stressing the importance of major shipping lines returning to the canal once regional stability improves. He praised the canal's proactive measures for resilience, particularly its green initiatives and infrastructure projects.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding to extend the collaboration between the Suez Canal Authority and the ICS, emphasizing shared expertise, marketing maritime services, and adhering to global environmental standards.

The visit also included a tour of the Suez Canal training simulators, the Canal Museum, and a boat trip through the canal.