Egypt Daily News – Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, and Guy Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), discussed the latest developments in the current situation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb region. The meeting was attended by Keiji Tsuchiya, Vice President of the Japanese Shipowners’ Association, via video conference.
The meeting took place within the framework of fruitful cooperation between the two sides, aiming to exchange perspectives and gain a closer understanding of the impressions of shipowners and operators regarding the developments in the region and their impact on future navigation plans in the Suez Canal.
At the beginning of the meeting, Admiral Osama Rabie emphasized the Suez Canal Authority’s commitment to maintaining direct and effective communication with organizations and stakeholders in the maritime community to assess the current situation in the Red Sea region, which is showing positive signs toward the gradual return of stability.
Rabie pointed out the actual commencement of the Suez Canal double lane project within the scope of the Southern Sector project, in light of the Suez Canal’s ongoing preparations to keep pace with the rapid developments in the maritime transport industry and to achieve the highest levels of navigational safety for global trade.
Guy Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), noted that the positive indicators in the Red Sea region are gradually restoring confidence among major shipping lines to resume transit through the region and the Suez Canal. He added that it might take a few months for things to return to normal.
The Secretary-General of the ICS explained that the maritime community is closely monitoring the situation in the region, awaiting the outcomes of political and security developments. He stressed that the safety of ships, crews, and cargo remains a top priority for all parties.
Platten praised the efforts of the Suez Canal Authority and its commitment to working diligently and continuously to serve global trade and ensure the sustainability of global supply chains.
Meanwhile, Keiji Tsuchiya, Vice President of the Japanese Shipowners’ Association, expressed his appreciation for the Suez Canal Authority’s efforts in maintaining effective communication with international shipping chambers to monitor the positive indicators in the Red Sea region. These indicators have led some ships to change their routes and resume transit through the Suez Canal.
Tsuchiya noted that the return of major shipping lines requires more positive indicators and evidence of stable conditions and the permanent resumption of safe navigation in the region.
