Suez Canal traffic rises 27% in August as Egypt increases maritime services

In August 2026, the Suez Canal witnessed a 27% surge in traffic, handling 1,358 vessels that collectively transported 68.3 million net tonnes and generated $567.1 million in revenues, according to Osama Rabie, Chairperson of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA). Rabie highlighted this increase during Egypt’s World Maritime Day 2026 celebrations, organized by the Maritime Transport Sector of the Ministry of Transport in Alexandria, under the theme "From Policy to Practice: Advancing Maritime Excellence."

Comparing this performance to August 2025, when 1,070 vessels traversed the canal carrying 45.2 million net tonnes and generating $326 million in revenues, Rabie noted a 27% rise in vessel numbers, a 51.1% increase in net tonnage, and a 56.7% growth in revenues.

Rabies attributed these gains to geopolitical shifts and global trade disruptions, emphasizing that the SCA has implemented flexible policies to maintain efficiency while exploring new revenue streams and expanding maritime services. The authority is also focused on localizing maritime industries by enhancing its shipyards and partnerships with the private sector, aiming to boost activities and facilitate international market access.

To accommodate the growing demand, the SCA has expanded its service offerings to include shipbuilding, repair, marine fuel bunkering, medical services, and crew changes.

Rabies stressed that the Suez Canal remains a critical component of global supply chains, even amidst recent trade disruptions, and that the canal's operations remain safe and operational. Beyond its role in transit, the SCA is advancing its vision through projects to develop maritime infrastructure in Arab and African nations. Recent developments include the SCA's involvement in the restoration of the Port of Sirte in Libya, which had been closed for 14 years.

Additionally, the SCA’s Maritime Training and Simulation Academy is developing simulation models for ports in Saudi Arabia, Namibia, and training local maritime professionals through its academy. The World Maritime Day event, attended by Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir, Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled Hassan Saeed, Sector head Hussein El-Geziry, Suez Canal Economic Zone Chairperson Mostafa Shikhoun, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport President Ismail Abdel Ghafar, and other regional maritime officials, underscored the ongoing efforts to enhance maritime excellence.