190,000-ton Maersk containership makes first Suez Canal transit on Europe-Asia voyage

The Suez Canal has successfully brought back numerous maritime services operating on the trade route between Europe and Asia, with navigation reports recording a considerable increase in the daily traffic rates of Maersk-affiliated container ships.

Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, announced that traffic through the canal witnessed the transit of the container ship Bangkok Maersk on its first voyage through the canal, among vessels of the northern convoy on its way from Italy to Singapore.

The 190,000-ton Maersk-affiliated vessel is 350 metres in length, has a beam of 56 metres and can carry 17,200 TEUs on board. It is equipped with a dual-fuel engine capable of running on green methanol to reduce harmful carbon emissions. The vessel currently operates as part of Maersk’s AE7 maritime service, which directly connects Asia’s major ports with North European and Mediterranean ports.

In accordance with the SCA’s protocol for vessels transiting through the canal for the first time, Adm. Rabiee delegated Capt. Hesham Helmy, Distinguished Chief Pilot, and Capt. Galal Shabaka, Chief Pilot, to board the vessel, welcome its crew, and present a commemorative gift to the vessel’s master.

Adm. Rabiee underscored that the Suez Canal has successfully brought back numerous maritime services operating on the trade route between Europe and Asia, in a step reflecting the canal’s strategic significance as a main axis linking the East and the West. He clarified that navigation reports on the canal are now recording a considerable increase in the daily traffic rates of Maersk-affiliated container ships, with the container ship Mathilde Maersk leading the day’s traffic through the canal at a tonnage of 200,000 tons, followed by the Bangkok Maersk, making two Maersk-affiliated vessels transiting through the canal that day among the northern convoy.

Shipmaster Capt. Pata Radu emphasised that the choice of the Suez Canal over navigating around Africa saves approximately 14 days, which is reflected positively in voyage time and cost savings as well as maintaining clients’ interests. Capt. Radu lauded the SCA’s efforts in developing the waterway, namely the success of the New Suez Canal Project in increasing the canal’s efficiency, as well as the increased margin of navigational safety achieved through the recently-completed southern sector development project. He also praised the role played by the SCA’s pilots, especially their cooperation and efficiency in facilitating vessels’ safe transit.

Traffic through the canal that day recorded the transit of 57 vessels with a total net tonnage of 2.8 million tons.