On Sunday, Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, participated in the opening of the 13th Annual International Maritime Transport and Logistics Conference (MARLOG), organized by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) under the auspices of the Arab League, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, held from March 3–5. The event was attended by Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir, AASTMT President Dr. Ismail Abdel-Ghaffar, Alexandria Governor Major General Mohamed Taher El-Sherif, Northern Military Region Commander Major General Hisham Hosni, as well as numerous regional and international maritime transport officials.
In his speech, Admiral Rabie expressed his appreciation for the importance of MARLOG, highlighting it as one of the most significant events addressing developments in shipping and ports, as well as initiatives aimed at promoting the blue economy—a key pillar of the global economy—through sustainable and environmentally friendly economic growth.
He explained that the Suez Canal has placed blue economy principles at the top of its strategic priorities. In 2020, it launched the "Green Canal 2030" strategy, which aims to transform the canal into an environmentally sustainable route that reduces carbon emissions from ships operating between Asia and Europe. In this context, he noted the Suez Canal’s success in reducing 55 million tons of carbon emissions and cutting fuel consumption by 17 million tons in 2023.
Admiral Rabie added that the Suez Canal has also been enhancing the use of clean energy across its facilities and units. Additionally, a new initiative for collecting waste from ships passing through the canal has been launched in partnership with the Greek company Anti-Pollution, making the canal a model for environmentally sustainable shipping routes, recognized by international organizations. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) most recently affirmed that there is no alternative to the Suez Canal for routes between Asia, Europe, and North Africa.
He emphasized that the Suez Canal has achieved unprecedented developmental progress in recent years through navigational channel development projects and associated infrastructure and logistics projects, providing a promising model for integrated maritime services. Among the highlights is the development of the southern sector of the canal, which will increase navigational safety by 28%, alongside the construction and development of three yacht marinas in the canal cities.
Admiral Rabie also addressed the security and geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb that began in November of last year, noting that they continue to affect global maritime transport. Freight rates for ships heading to Red Sea ports rose to $6,800 per container compared to about $750 per container before the crisis. In addition, fuel costs and insurance premiums for ships have increased, sometimes reaching ten times their previous value. These unprecedented challenges affect shipping operations through the Suez Canal.
He mentioned that the Suez Canal has held a series of meetings with maritime institutions, shipping lines, and international maritime leaders to discuss the crisis's implications. These discussions included ways to manage global supply chain disruptions, particularly due to the extended journey around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, which lacks sufficient ports and logistical services along the route. This underscores the strategic importance of the Suez Canal in global maritime navigation.
