The Suez Canal Authority and Maersk Group sign a strategic partnership agreement

Maersk-affiliated vessels will resume transiting the Suez Canal in early December as a precursor to a full-capacity return. CMA CGM is also expected to return at full capacity next month.

CEO of A.P. Moller–Maersk, Vincent Clerc, affirmed that the Suez Canal “has been and remains a pivotal lynchpin” for the Group’s shipping traffic, adding that Maersk’s return will likely encourage other shipping lines to follow.

In a joint statement, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and Maersk announced the decision following bilateral discussions that culminated in signing a new strategic partnership agreement. Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the SCA, and Mr. Clerc witnessed the signing at the New Marina building in Ismailia.

The agreement builds on decades of cooperation and sets an integrated framework for future collaboration. Adm. Rabiee stated that Maersk’s return reflects a move back toward the optimal, shortest, and most secure route for global supply chains. He noted that in 2023, Maersk-operated vessels recorded 1,158 transits with 127 million tons of net tonnage, generating $733 million in revenue.

He highlighted that the Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh played a key role in restoring stability in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab region, paving the way for traffic to recover. Navigation data has already shown improvement, with October and November recording higher tonnage and revenues compared to the previous year.

Rabiee added that ongoing discussions with shipping lines aim to coordinate the full resumption of transit schedules. Advanced talks with CMA CGM have resulted in a commitment to fully resume transit through the Canal and Bab el-Mandab Strait in December.

Since the start of the Red Sea crisis, the SCA has expanded services, strengthened its maritime fleet, and introduced flexible pricing policies, including a 15% toll reduction for large container ships.

Mr. Clerc praised the SCA’s crisis management and affirmed that communication between both sides remained strong throughout. He noted that the Canal is not only critical for Maersk’s global operations but also central to their partnership at East Port Said Container Terminal. He thanked President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his support and presence at recent terminal inaugurations.

Clerc emphasized that the Canal remains the most efficient route between East and West, and that Maersk is hopeful the Sharm El-Sheikh peace agreement will stabilize the Red Sea region. The strategic partnership agreement, he said, is a major step toward restoring normal transit operations, with a full-capacity return anticipated soon. He expressed hope to see Maersk’s mega vessels crossing the Suez Canal at full capacity again.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both sides, including Vice Chairman Admiral Ashraf Atwa and Maersk executives Ahmed Hassan and Hany El Nady. The agreement was signed by Eng. Gamal Abu El-Kheir of the SCA and Ms. Rabab Boulos, COO and Executive Board Member of A.P. Moller–Maersk.

It is also important to note that Egypt enforces a mandatory ACID requirement for all incoming shipments. Cargo must be registered in the ACID system prior to loading, and the ACID number must appear on all related shipping documents. Shipments arriving without this approval are not accepted by Egyptian customs, which can lead to return, refusal, or significant delays.