The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is stepping up efforts to encourage large containerships to resume transits through the strategic waterway, following improvements in Red Sea security. Chairman Admiral Ossama Rabiee has personally visited vessels to showcase the canal’s readiness for large-scale operations.

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Admiral Rabiee recently inspected the CMA CGM JULES VERNE, a 396-meter, 176,000-ton vessel, marking the first northbound Suez Canal transit after passing through the Bab El-Mandab Strait. The voyage represents a major milestone in the canal’s recovery from the Houthi maritime crisis that began in November 2023.

During the visit, Admiral Rabiee met the crew and discussed their Red Sea experience, alongside CMA CGM Egypt & Sudan Cluster CEO Tariq Zaghloul and Operations Manager Amr El-Shafei. He also observed CMA CGM HELIUM, a 335-meter, 130,000-ton vessel, on its maiden canal transit.

“The restoration of stability in the Red Sea requires shipping lines to rethink navigation schedules and return to transiting through Bab El-Mandab and the Suez Canal,” Admiral Rabiee stated.

Earlier this month, the SCA announced plans to hold meetings with major carriers to encourage experimental voyages, partial returns, or a multi-phase full return strategy. Admiral Rabiee praised CMA CGM for maintaining canal operations amid security challenges, citing the successful transit of two mega-containerships following the Sharm El-Sheikh summit.

Captain Slavko Malasic, master of the JULES VERNE, highlighted the canal’s development projects, particularly the southern sector expansion, which has improved navigation safety and reduced waiting and transit times.

Encouraging recovery data supports these efforts. October 2025 saw the highest monthly return of vessels since the crisis, with 229 ships navigating the canal. Between July and October, 4,405 vessels totaling 185 million tons transited the waterway.

The resurgence follows a Houthi announcement suspending maritime operations in the Red Sea, though experts caution that risks remain. Since the October 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict outbreak, Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant ships, sinking four, seizing one, and killing at least eight seafarers, prompting a 60% drop in traffic as vessels rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope.

Challenges remain, particularly high marine insurance costs, which continue to slow some carriers’ return. CMA CGM leads the comeback, with CEO Tariq Zaghloul underscoring the canal’s irreplaceable strategic value: “There is no alternative to the Suez Canal.”

Looking forward, the SCA plans to attract more vessel types beyond containerships. Industry representatives have called for incentives for oil tankers, bulk carriers, and LNG vessels, which face fewer scheduling hurdles. Admiral Rabiee invited all shipping lines to conduct trial voyages, signaling confidence in Red Sea security.