Number of ships transiting Suez Canal declines from 80 to 35 vessels per day due to Houthis’ attacks: SCA Chief

CAIRO – 1 August 2025: Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have severely disrupted maritime navigation through the Suez Canal, with the number of transiting ships dropping from 70–80 vessels per day to just 30–35, said Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), during celebrations marking the 69th anniversary of the Canal’s nationalization.

Despite daily challenges, Admiral Rabie emphasized that the Suez Canal remains one of the world’s most vital maritime routes. He stressed that the Canal’s long history of overcoming adversity is a testament to its resilience and the professionalism of those managing it—a reputation that has earned the Suez Canal numerous international accolades in recent years.

The SCA Chairman also urged insurance companies to reconsider the elevated premiums imposed on vessels transiting the Red Sea. He called for sending reassuring messages to global shipping lines to encourage the resumption of normal traffic through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

As a result of the ongoing tensions in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Suez Canal’s revenues plummeted by 61% in 2024, falling to $3.991 billion from $10.25 billion in 2023. On March 9, 2025, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi announced that Egypt is currently losing approximately $800 million per month in Suez Canal revenues due to regional instability.

Historic Achievements

Admiral Rabie highlighted that since the nationalization of the Suez Canal 69 years ago, the waterway has generated a total of $153.4 billion in revenue. During this period, approximately 1.1 million ships have passed through the Canal, with a combined net tonnage of 33 billion tons.

Inauguration of New Projects

As part of ongoing development efforts, the SCA has inaugurated a new drinking water station in Ismailia, named "July 26" in commemoration of the nationalization date of the Canal in 1956 by the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The station has a production capacity of 180,000 cubic meters of potable water per day and will serve residents in the Suez Canal cities of Ismailia, Suez, and Port Said. The project is part of the SCA's broader commitment to social development in the region.

In terms of enhancing operational capabilities, Admiral Rabie noted that 692 naval units have been added to the Suez Canal’s fleet since the July 26 Revolution, including 113 units introduced since 2019.