The world's key shipping route is gradually recovering operations.

A ship moves through the Suez Canal, Egypt. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

On May 25, Chairman of Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Osama Rabie, affirmed that the security situation has become favorable for ships to gradually return to operating through the Suez Canal.

According to the SCA statement, Mr. Rabie pointed out that the unprecedented security tension in the Red Sea has negatively impacted the rate of ships passing through the world 's important shipping lane passing through Egypt, as many shipping lines were forced to divert around the Cape of Good Hope.

This impact, he said, is felt across the entire shipping industry, which is suffering from longer sailing times, increased operating costs per voyage and subsequent negative impacts that increase costs for the end consumer.

Mr. Rabie said the SCA has handled the crisis flexibly by maintaining direct and effective communication with shipping lines, to discuss adjusting travel schedules and gradually restoring shipping through the Suez Canal.

In mid-May, the SCA announced a 15% reduction in shipping fees for container ships of 130,000 net tons or more, loaded or unloaded, for a period of 90 days. The move was designed by Egypt to share the burden with shipping companies and encourage them to reschedule their vessels through the Suez Canal.

According to the head of the SCA, the Red Sea crisis has conclusively demonstrated that the Suez Canal is indispensable because it uniquely balances time efficiency and cost savings, while providing essential maritime and logistical services that the Cape of Good Hope route cannot provide.

Signs of a recovery in trade through the Suez Canal began in February. In March 2025, 166 ships returned to the Egyptian canal after a brief ceasefire in the Gaza Strip eased tensions in the Red Sea.

Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip erupted in October 2023, the Houthis have carried out military operations targeting Israel-linked ships, disrupting traffic through the Suez Canal and forcing major shipping lines to divert around the Cape of Good Hope – a longer and more expensive journey.

The disruption has caused Suez Canal revenues to drop by more than 60% in 2024, costing Egypt an estimated $7 billion.

After weeks of US military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen, a ceasefire was reached between the two sides brokered by Oman on May 6, providing a crucial boost to restoring stability in the Red Sea – a vital global shipping corridor.

The Suez Canal handles about 12% of global trade, with tourism and remittances being important sources of foreign currency for Egypt./.

VNA/Vietnam+

Source: https://vimc.co/tuyen-van-tai-bii-quan-trong-cua-the-gioi-dan-khoi-phuc-hoat-dong/