Monday, 25 May 2026
Giant container ships gradually returning to the Suez Canal
The Suez Canal Authority has shared encouraging news for the shipping industry: the Suez Canal is gradually welcoming back giant container ships.
On Wednesday, Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, announced the passage of the "CMA CGM OSIRIS"—a French container ship weighing 154,000 tons—as part of the southbound convoy.
The vessel, owned by the French shipping giant CMA CGM, is the first large container ship to transit the canal from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since March 2024. This follows a temporary halt for this class of vessel due to regional challenges. The successful transit is a positive result of the Authority’s marketing efforts, including a recently announced 15% discount for container ships with a net tonnage exceeding 130,000 tons, whether loaded or empty, over the next three months.
The "CMA CGM OSIRIS" is an impressive ship: it’s 366 meters long, 51 meters wide, and has a draft of 49 feet. It can carry up to 15,536 standard containers, making it the first major container vessel to benefit practically from this new incentive program that aims to encourage more large ships to use the canal.
Admiral Rabie stressed the Suez Canal’s unwavering commitment to supporting shipping lines through flexible pricing and open communication, despite ongoing regional and global challenges. These steps are designed to promote the Canal as the preferred and most competitive route for large vessels worldwide.
Recent discussions with CMA CGM management have paved the way for several more large vessels in their fleet to return to the canal. Admiral Rabie expressed optimism about more global shipping lines following suit in the near future, reflecting the sector’s trust and partnership.
It’s noteworthy that just yesterday, two other vessels from the same French shipping line, the "CMA CGM AQUILA" and "CMA CGM CALLISTO," each weighing 128,000 tons, also made successful passages through the Suez Canal. These movements highlight not only the Canal’s vital role in international trade, but also the strong relationship between the Suez Canal Authority and world-leading shipping lines like CMA CGM.
The Suez Canal remains open and ready to welcome the world’s largest ships, reinforcing Egypt’s importance as a cornerstone of global trade.