Admiral Osama Rabie: “We are working on implementing an integrated strategy to encourage yacht tourism in the Suez Canal”
Dr. Rumaih: “The Red Sea region is an untapped gem and we aspire to joint cooperation to maximize maritime tourism in the region”
Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the SCA, received Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih, Chairman of the General Transport Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Deputy Minister of Transport for Logistics Services, accompanied by a high-level delegation, to discuss ways of cooperation in areas of common interest, at the Guidance Building in Ismailia Governorate.
The meeting witnessed a discussion of mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of providing logistics services and Maritime Tourism.
At the beginning of the meeting, Rabie welcomed the Saudi delegation to the Suez Canal Authority, and expressed his aspiration to invest in the historical ties and extended relations between the two brotherly countries to open new horizons for cooperation and enhance the exchange of expertise and partnership in joint maritime projects that serve the interests of both countries.
Rabie stressed that the Egyptian government is setting its sights on developing the Suez Canal and the surrounding area according to a sustainable future vision that ensures achieving optimal benefit from the unique geographical location of the canal and the surrounding area’s human and material resources and accumulated expertise in the maritime field.
Great strides
Chairman of SCA explained that the Suez Canal has made great strides towards encouraging maritime tourism and yacht tourism in the Suez Canal by adopting an integrated strategy to develop its yacht marinas to be able to accommodate all types of yachts of various capacities and sizes, in a manner that complements the efforts of all relevant national institutions to place Egypt in a prominent position on the global yacht tourism map,
Pointing out in this regard the completion of the development and modernization of the Ismailia yacht marina to become the first model marina for yacht tourism in Egypt with a capacity exceeding 100 yachts.
Rabie said that the geopolitical challenges imposed by the current situation in the Red Sea region have prompted the Suez Canal to deal flexibly and achieve effective communication and joint coordination with all stakeholders in the international maritime community to consult on ways to reduce the effects of the crisis on the sustainability and stability of global supply chains.
Introducing a new packages
He added that the Suez Canal has taken many measures to ensure flexible handling of current conditions by introducing a new package of navigational services that were not previously provided and that meet the requirements of ships crossing the canal in normal and emergency conditions, such as towing and rescue services, ship maintenance and repair, combating pollution and oil spills, marine ambulance services, and others.
A real jewel
On the other hand Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih, stressed his pride in the joint cooperation relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, praising the bilateral efforts to drive development in the economic and tourism sectors, especially in the Red Sea region, which is a real jewel that has not yet been exploited.
Major tourism projects
Dr. Rumaih explained that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is working on implementing an integrated strategy for tourism development for its Red Sea coast, as it has already completed the implementation of a group of major tourism projects, which will allow an increase in the number of passenger ships and tourist yachts through the Suez Canal during the coming period.
Stability to return
The Chairman of the Saudi General Transport Authority Stated that the current situation in the Red Sea region has imposed more challenges on maritime shipping in the region, expressing his hope for stability to return stressing that the current situation remains temporary and will not last long due to its negative impact on the sustainability of global supply chains.
The visit included a sea tour in the New Suez Canal, followed by an inspection tour of the Suez Canal Yacht Marina in Ismailia and the Suez Canal Museum.
Official Spokesperson for the Suez Canal Authority George Safwat stated
