Ashraf AboArafe
Admiral Ossama Rabiee: “The Suez Canal holds a singular status within the maritime community… and we remain steadfast in delivering our navigation and maritime services.”
The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires: “We deeply value our fruitful cooperation with the Suez Canal and recognize its vital importance to American interests… We eagerly look forward to expanding our joint efforts into new domains.”
ADMIRAL Ossama Rabiee, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), received Ambassador Robert Silverman, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, alongside a high-level diplomatic delegation today at the Authority’s headquarters in the Guidance Building, Ismailia, to discuss avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation.
The visiting delegation included Captain William Gotten, U.S. Naval Attaché, and Mr. Andrew Doehler, Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy. Representing the Suez Canal Authority were Dr. Fathi Abdel Bari, Director of Planning and Research, and Eng. Abdel Rahman Ramadan, Director of Movement.
Opening the session, Admiral Rabiee highlighted the Suez Canal’s crucial strategic position as a primary link sustaining global supply chains and facilitating trade flow between East and West. He emphasized that the Authority has successfully navigated ongoing geopolitical challenges, maintaining uninterrupted 24/7 navigation services while introducing a new suite of maritime operations tailored to meet customer needs under both routine and emergent conditions.
Admiral Rabiee noted that recent volatility across the global shipping sector has only underscored the Canal’s unmatched value to the maritime community, driven by its significant operational savings, reduced voyage times, and optimal routing. He also highlighted national efforts to localize maritime industries, pointing to an unprecedented surge in domestic ship manufacturing that enhances the Canal’s service capabilities and opens fresh avenues for international export. Furthermore, he reiterated Egypt’s commitment to expanding waterway efficiency through continuous infrastructure projects, most notably the Southern Development Project, which has successfully boosted navigational safety by 28%.
Ambassador Robert Silverman affirmed the strength of U.S.-Egyptian bilateral ties, praising the fruitful partnership with the SCA and emphasizing the Canal’s critical role in safeguarding U.S. interests and sustaining trade flows between Europe and Asia. He commended the Authority’s diversified economic activities and its resilient response to global challenges, expressing enthusiasm for broadening joint initiatives into new sectors.
Discussions focused on prospective collaborations in shipyard development, specialized maritime services, and digital transformation. Concluding the visit, Admiral Rabiee presented Ambassador Silverman with the New Suez Canal shield before hosting the delegation on a sea tour along the New Suez Canal and a visit to the Suez Canal Museum.
George Safwat
Official Spokesperson for the Suez Canal Authority
