U.S. ambassador pays Egypt's Suez Canal official visit

CAIRO – 31 January 2024: U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mostafa Garg, who assumed office in November, paid the Suez Canal an official visit, meeting with Admiral Osama Rabie, the authority's chairman, according to a statement released Wednesday.

The meeting tackled joint cooperation so as Admiral Rabie underscored that the current challenges in the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandab had made clear the strategic importance of the Suez Canal in the navigation realm. He added that the challenges also showcased that the Suez Canal was a cornerstone of the stability and sustainability of the global supply chains, which has been enduring disruptions since the outbreak of the crisis.

Rabie highlighted that the flow of navigation in the Canal was a reflection of the performance of the global trade, affirming that the authority had been providing its services in a normal way in spite of the ongoing challenges. That is by offering bundles that include bunkering, marine ambulance services, pollution control, and maintenance services among others.  

The admiral underlined that, over the past years, the Canal's infrastructure had been upgraded, shedding light on the in-progress Southern Section Development Plan, which would increase the safety of navigation in the waterway by 28 percent.

The first phase is fully completed as the distance between the 132nd kilometer marking and the 162nd kilometer marking has been widened by 40 meters on the eastern side. As for the second phase, taking place between the 122nd kilometer marking and 132nd kilometer marking, it has been completed by 72.5 percent.

The chairman stated that the authority plans to announce the Suez Canal a green canal by 2030 as a first step before announcing Egypt a regional green hydrogen hub.

On her side, the U.S. ambassador commended the Suez Canal's efforts to support its customers, and its keenness on achieving an effective communication with them to fulfill their needs during the current critical period.

She expressed hope that the current situation in the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandab would end soon in light of the United States' eagerness for reinstating the freedom of navigation in the region and guaranteeing the sustainability of the global supply chains.

The ambassador also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, and on the peoples' level. She was invited for a cruise in the international waterway, and given the Suez Canal Trophy Shield.