Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Osama Rabie, held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with Secretary General of the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), Kostas Gkonis, to explore ways to expand avenues of mutual co-operation.
This meeting underscores the Authority’s commitment to establishing communication channels with global partners.
The discussions addressed the impact of current developments in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb region on global trade. Rabie emphasized the SCA’s dedication to continuous coordination with all international maritime organisations. The two sides deliberated on navigation policies in the Suez Canal amidst current circumstances, aiming to achieve consensus on joint mechanisms to mitigate the crisis’s impact on global trade.
Chairman Rabie highlighted the negative repercussions of the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb region on global trade and supply chains, noting unprecedented increases in shipping and fuel costs, as well as delays in cargo arrivals.
He said that the Suez Canal has implemented several measures to address the challenges posed by the current conditions, including offering maritime rescue, ship maintenance and repair services, in addition to maritime medical services.
The chairman of the SCA also confirmed that the Suez Canal sustains its efforts to develop the navigational route by completing the Canal’s Southern Sector Development Project, alongside enhancing its maritime fleet and services.
The Secretary General of INTERCARGO emphasised his association’s dedication to prioritising the safety of maritime crews, vessels, and cargo, highlighting these as primary concerns for more than 3000 bulk carrier vessels owned by the organisation’s members.
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