SCA reports highest monthly rate of returning vessels since Middle East war started

In October, the Suez Canal Authority’s (SCA) monthly vessel turnover rate reached its highest level since the start of the Middle East war.

Admiral Ossama Rabiee, the head of the Suez Canal Authority, shared the good news at a conference he hosted with officials from 20 major shipping firms and organisations to discuss the developments in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb region.

According to authorities, the amount of tonnage that passed through the Suez Canal between July and October increased by 10 percent compared to the previous year. 

Although there was just a two percent increase in the number of ships, this shows that larger ships are making the trip compared to the previous year. 

In line with this, 229 ships returned to the canal in October, out of the 4,400 boats that transited throughout the four months, according to a report by The Maritime Executive.

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SCA continues to reach out for more

After reporting its first notable improvements in transit volume since the beginning of the regional crisis in late 2023, the SCA is now continuing to reach out to the maritime industry. 

It pointed out that two of CMA CGM’s larger ships recently passed via the Suez Canal. 

CMA CGM has been sending smaller ships through the Red Sea with escorts from EUNAVFOR Aspides. 

CMA CGM has not yet returned the fleet’s 23,000 TEU flagships to the Suez Canal, despite sending its 17,000+ TEU boats through the most recent testing.

In spite of it, the SCA notes in a meeting summary that CMA CGM declared its intention to expand the group’s trips across the Suez Canal.

Hapag-Lloyd and other carriers also stated that they were keeping an eye on events. 

Evergreen stated that it is prepared to resume as soon as the situation fully and permanently stabilises, and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company stated that it expects a “swift return of southbound vessels in the coming period.” 

COSCO also stated that many shipping lines will route ships through the canal once stability returns.

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