The canal also witnesses the transit of the Celestial Journey cruise ship.

A total of 45 ships transited the canal in both directions, with a combined net tonnage of 1.7 million tonnes.

Today, Sunday, Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority SCA announced the transit of the giant cruise ship MSC Euribia, one of the world's largest, on its maiden voyage through the Suez Canal as part of the southbound convoy. This followed the ship's passage through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait en route from the UAE to Malta.

The MSC Euribia had been among the ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz for several weeks. After passing through the Strait, it changed course and sailed through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal en route to Europe, rather than   circumnavigating the Cape of Good Hope

 The ship

The 331-metre-long, 51.9-metre-wide ship, which belongs to the MSC shipping line and is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), has a draft of 27.5 feet. The vessel, which flies the Maltese flag, transited the canal with a crew of 192.

A protocol for vessels

The Suez Canal Authority has a protocol for vessels that are transiting the canal for the first time. This protocol was followed when the Chairman of the Authority, Admiral Osama Rabie, delegated Captain Khaled Nada (Senior Pilot) and Captain Raouf Moselhy (Chief Pilot) to board the passenger ship. They welcomed the crew and presented a commemorative gift to the ship's captain.

Related : The AIS signal of the MSC Euribia will become active when the ship crosses the Suez Canal.

The Suez Canal also witnessed the southbound transit of the cruise ship Celestial Journey, which was en route from the UAE to Turkey as part of a convoy. Measuring 219 metres in length and 30 metres in width, the ship has a draft of 24 feet.

Logistical services and accommodate the newest and largest vessels

 Rabie emphasised that the Suez Canal continues to provide maritime and logistical services, as well as accommodating the newest and largest vessels in the global fleet, thanks to ongoing development projects. The most recent of these projects is the Southern Sector Development Project, which has improved navigational safety for vessels passing through the canal by widening it by 40 metres on the eastern side, from kilometre 132 to kilometre 162. In addition, 10 kilometres of double-lane canal have been added within the Lesser Bitter Lakes.

The passage of cruise ships

The Chairman of SCA highlighted that the passage of cruise ships reflects the canal's continued attractiveness as a major east-west transit route. This is due to the time and operating cost savings it offers, which further solidify the Suez Canal's position as the fastest, shortest and safest shipping route.

On Sunday, 45 ships transited the canal in both directions, with a total net tonnage of 1.7 million tonnes. Official spokesperson for the Suez Canal Authority, George Safwat, stated

#  Admiral Osama Rabie #SCA #Suez Canal #The MSC Euribia #Cape of Good Hope # Lesser Bitter Lakes #protocol for vessels # MSC shipping line