In an attempt to fully regain the passage of containers Ships from the world’s largest shipping road, Suez Canal announced discount 15% for large container ships for 90 days.
The decision of the Suez Canal Authority, which relates to discounts of container ships with a net capacity of more than 130,000 tonnes, has been implemented since Thursday, May 15, while joining a wider strategy of recovering the confidence of the shipping industry by about 60% of the shipping industry. billion dollars in 2023, at just $ 4 billion.
Most of the shipping companies due to the increased risk that the Red Sea passes through the Red Sea by the attacks by Houthi, had turned to the route through the Cape of Good Hope.
Despite the ceasefire agreement in the Red Sea, concern remains strong in the shipping world.
Peter Sand, head of Xeneta’s analysis, recently underlined that the US truce with Houthi – though a positive step – does not provide absolute stability, as the Yemeni rebel group has not clarified whether the agreement is concerned with Israel by excluding new threats to ships.
Sand points out that even in previous cases of temporary calm, such as the Israeli-Hamas agreement last February, there was no significant increase in navigation from the roads in question.
Maersk, one of the largest shipping giants in the world, also appears cautious. The company’s chief executive, Vincent Clerc, said that the rearrangement of routes through Suez is not an easy decision, describing it as “complex, expensive and difficult reversible”. It is recalled that Maersk, in collaboration with Hapag-Lloyd, has already launched the new Gemini network, based on crossing through the Cape of Good Hope, bypassing the Suez Canal.
However, the last confirmed attack was noted seven months ago. Between November 2023 and November 2024, Houthi attacked more than 120 merchant ships with unmanned aircraft, rockets, attempts to boarding and a piracy.
OSAMA Rabie: favorable transit conditions
The president of the Sca Canal Authority, Osama Rabie, said the discount was a response to customer demands, as well as an attempt to enhance the competitiveness of the canal as the fastest and more immediate maritime route between Europe and Asia.
He also referred to favorable conditions in the passage through the Suez Canal once again- especially in the light of favorable security conditions in the Red Sea region, which he pointed out, as real stability and tranquility is observed.
He also noted that SCA adopts an ambitious strategy for the development and modernization of the maritime and logistics system it provides to its customers and is making significant efforts to be open to the conclusion of partnerships with large international companies in various shipping sector. Shipping.
Last week, Rabie had talks with large corporate executives, such as the French CMA CGM group.
Ms Christine Cabeau, Executive Vice President of the CMM CGM assets and businesses, welcomed the positive developments in the security situation in the Red Sea area, which will be taken into account in the evaluation of the situation in the area and the training of the Naval Shipping. And crews, as well as developments.
The CMM CGM Group’s Executive Vice -President of the CGM CGM Group, Tariq Zaghloul, confirmed the group’s willingness to return to the passage through the Suez Canal, considering it to be the shortest and fastest route compared to the cape of good hope.
In addition, Ms Christine Cabeau pointed out that the Group already has a stable service passing through the Suez Canal, noting in this case the group’s efforts to operate an additional service in the coming period.
At the start of the meeting, Admiral Ossama Rabiee expressed his assessment of the strategic partnership between the Suez Canal and the French Shipping Company CMA CGM, which resulted in the continuation of the passage of certain services of the Group through the Canal of Suez.
Mr Rabie pointed out that the CMA CGM shipping line took first place in the net capacity of container ships passing through the canal during the first four months of 2025, representing 19% of the total capacity of the shipping vessels.
Although no details were given to any additional discounts, the French company expressed a return on the route through the canal, describing it as “faster and more efficient”.
During a meeting with representatives of 25 leading shipping companies and organizations, the President and CEO of the SKA Canal Authority (SCA) said that the canal is ready to provide full services on ships under normal conditions and in emergency.
He also emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation, pointing out that the latest developments, in particular the ceasefire in Yemen under the auspices of the United States, contribute to reducing worries about ship safety.
He called on shipping companies to review their routes and to gradually return their ships to the canal, while ensuring the protection of crews.
“Everyone’s cooperation is critical to the congestion of global supply chains,” he said, calling for positive response and joint action. It is noted that SCA continues to strengthen its strategic relations with the international shipping community, seeking stability and security in world navigation.
Source: RES-EIA