Rabie discusses future cooperation with CMA CGM Group’s Executive Vice President of Operations and Assets.

Over the past three months, 166 medium- and large-sized vessels from the CMA CGM shipping line, with a total net tonnage of 29 million tonnes, have transited the canal.

 Christine Cabausaid: 'The Group is continuing to restore its shipping services via the Suez Canal as a permanent and sustainable route.'

Ismailia, October 13, 2026 – Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), met today (Tuesday) via videoconference with Ms. Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President for Assets and Operations at CMA CGM Group, and Mr. Tarek Zaghloul, CEO of CMA CGM Group in Egypt and Sudan.

This meeting forms part of a series of regular consultations between the two parties, which aim to monitor the French group's transit policies through the Suez Canal and discuss ways to strengthen joint cooperation. The meetings also encourage global shipping lines to return to using the Suez Canal route

Suez Canal's strategic importance for container trade

At the start of the meeting, Admiral Osama Rabie emphasised the Suez Canal's strategic importance for container trade, highlighting the operational savings it provides by reducing transit time and distance. He also highlighted its contribution to the economies of scale of container ships, pointing out that the Canal can accommodate the entire global container fleet.

Current challenges are placing pressure on global supply chains

The Authority’s Chairman highlighted the mounting pressure that current challenges are placing on global supply chains, which is having a direct impact on fuel prices and freight rates. He emphasised the Authority's commitment to supporting its clients by offering an integrated package of maritime and logistics services, ensuring that the route remains the fastest, shortest, most efficient and most sustainable.

Related: Suez Canal now accounts for 57% of the Mediterranean–Asia backhaul container routes.

 Increase in transits by CMA CGM container ships

He elucidated that maritime reports indicated an increase in transits by CMA CGM container ships in the medium and large categories (exceeding 130,000 tons). Specifically, 166 ships from these categories transited between July and September 2026, with a total net tonnage of 29 million tons. This is in contrast to the previous year, when just 16 ships and 2.4 million tons transited during the same period.

The long-standing strategic partnership with the Suez Canal 

The long-standing strategic partnership between the Suez Canal Authority and CMA CGM Group was a source of pride for Ms. Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President for Assets and Operations at CMA CGM Group.

She confirmed that the Group continues to route its maritime services through the Suez Canal as a permanent and sustainable route, and she looks forward to strengthening future cooperation. Notably, today, Tuesday, saw the passage of the mega-container ship CMA CGM PANTHEON (IMO 1028047, MMSI 228499800 - sailing under the flag of France.) on its maiden voyage through the Suez Canal. Sailing with the northbound convoy en route from Morocco to Malaysia, it had a Suez Canal net tonnage of 221,000 tons and was accompanied by the container ship CMA CGM MONTE CRISTI, which also transited as part of the northbound convoy.

The SCA and the Yacht Club de Monaco signed a cooperation protocol. 

Meanwhile, Admiral Osama Rabie witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the SCA and the Yacht Club de Monaco, represented by its General Secretary and Managing Director, Mr Bernard d'Alessandri, at the Authority's headquarters in Cairo. The agreement aims to promote collaboration in the yacht tourism sector.

The protocol aims to promote the SCA’s yacht marinas in Ismailia and on the North Coast, leveraging the expertise of the Yacht Club de Monaco in attracting new clients and boosting yacht tourism in Egypt. The protocol also encompasses collaboration on innovation, sustainability, and the implementation of best practices regarding resource management and marine environmental protection. These efforts will enhance Egypt’s standing on the global yacht tourism map.

About:The Yacht Club de Monaco

The Yacht Club de Monaco is a key player in the global yachting industry and tourism sector. It serves as an international hub, bringing together over 2,500 members from 80 different countries, all of whom are stakeholders and professionals within the global yachting industry. In recent years, the Suez Canal Authority has actively participated in the Monaco Yacht Show to promote the services offered at its marinas and establish direct lines of communication with yacht owners and companies specialising in this promising industry

George Safwat, the official spokesperson for the Suez Canal Authority, stated:

Source: Press - release received by Maritime Tickers

#Admiral Osama Rabie #SCA #CMA CGM #Christine Cabau #CMA CGM PANTHEON #Yacht Club de Monaco #Mr Bernard d'Alessandri