Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Osama Rabie said the waterway witnessed the transit on Friday of the giant container ship CMA CGM SAINT GERMAIN, one of the world's largest container vessels, on its maiden voyage through the canal. In a statement, the SCA said the vessel, operated by the French shipping line CMA CGM, was transiting the canal as part of the northbound convoy on a voyage from Morocco to Malaysia.
The vessel is 399.9 meters long, 61.3 meters wide, has a 16-meter draft, and a total tonnage of 238,000 tons. It has a carrying capacity of up to 23,876 TEUs and is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), with an 18,600-cubic-meter fuel tank that enables long-haul voyages between Europe and Asia.
The ship operates on the NEU5/FAL3 service, managed by the Ocean Alliance, serving the trade route between the Far East and Northwest Europe. Rabie said the authority implemented all necessary measures to ensure the vessel's safe transit. The SCA chairman said the continued transit of giant container ships through the canal reflects positive signs of the gradual return of major shipping lines.
He stressed that the canal is fully prepared to accommodate the world's largest and most advanced vessels while continuing to play its vital role in facilitating global trade and ensuring the sustainability of supply chains. Rabie added that the authority continues to enhance its maritime services by introducing a range of new offerings, including marine salvage, ship maintenance and repair, marine ambulance services, bunkering, and crew change services, to strengthen the Suez Canal's competitiveness and reinforce its position as one of the world's leading trade routes.