The container ship Bangkok Maersk completed its maiden transit of the Suez Canal on Saturday, joining the northbound convoy on its voyage from Italy to Singapore, according to Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie.
In a statement, Rabie said the vesselis 350 metres long, 56 metres wide, has a tonnage of 190,000 tonnes and a capacity of 17,200 TEUs.
Equipped with a dual‑fuel engine capable of running on green methanol, the ship is designed to reduce harmful carbon emissions. It operates on Maersk’s AE7 service, which links major Asian ports with Northern European and Mediterranean ports.
Rabie said the canal has successfully restored numerous shipping services operating between Europe and Asia, underscoring its strategic importance as a key link between East and West.
He noted a significant increase in daily Maersk container ship transits, with Mathilde Maersk, carrying 200,000 tonnes, leading Saturday’s northbound convoy, followed by Bangkok Maersk, bringing the total number of Maersk vessels transiting the canal that day to two.
In line with the authority’s protocol for maiden transits, Rabie delegated Senior Pilot Captain Hesham Helmy and Chief Pilot Captain Galal Shabaka to board the vessel, welcome its crew and present a commemorative gift to the captain.
Ship Captain Pata Radu said that using the Suez Canal instead of sailing around Africa saves around 14 days, delivering significant time and cost benefits for customers.
He praised the Authority’s efforts to modernise the waterway, highlighting the New Suez Canal’s role in boosting efficiency and recent improvements in the southern sector that have enhanced navigational safety for large vessels.
Radu also commended the canal pilots for their professionalism and cooperation in ensuring safe passage.
On Saturday, a total of 57 vessels transited the Suez Canal, with a combined net tonnage of 2.8 million tonnes.
