Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Admiral Osama Rabie and Egypt’s Ambassador to Panama Ahmed Fawzi El-Sherif discussed on Sunday ways of boosting co-operation between the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal.
The visit was El-Sherif’s first one to the Suez Canal ahead of assuming his duties as Egypt’s ambassador to Panama.
During the meeting, Rabie expressed his appreciation for the longstanding strategic relationship between the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal.
He reaffirmed his commitment to exchanging views and promoting joint efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.
Rabie said climate and geopolitical challenges had affected the global shipping industry and major maritime routes in recent years.
He stressed the need for greater co-ordination and joint efforts at the current stage, saying such co-operation was essential to advance common interests and help ensure the sustainability of global supply chains.
Rabie also pointed to signs of a gradual recovery in container ship traffic through the Suez Canal.
According to the canal’s shipping reports, several major shipping lines have resumed services through the waterway after previously rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.
For his part, El-Sherif expressed interest in enhancing co-operation between the Suez Canal and Panama Canal across various fields, noting that the two waterways share a number of common areas of interest.
The Egyptian ambassador said he would work to intensify communication and co-ordination between the two canals. He also expressed interest in exploring the possibility of organising joint maritime and cultural events.
