Egypt's Suez Canal saw the passage of the giant container ship CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE for the first time in two years, marking the full return of vessels from the French shipping group, the Suez Canal Authority said Tuesday. The transit also included the MAERSK SEBAROK as part of the south convoy after crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, on its journey from Salalah, Oman, to the United States. The vessel is the first MAERSK container ship to pass through the canal following a recently signed strategic partnership agreement. CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, powered by liquefied natural gas, is the largest container ship to transit the canal in two years, measuring 400 metres in length, 62 metres in width, with a net tonnage of 231,000 tons, and carrying up to 23,000 containers. CMA CGM ADONIS also crossed in the south convoy with a load of 154,000 tons. MAERSK SEBAROK measures 318 metres in length, 40 metres in width, with a draft of 14 metres and a tonnage of 82,000 tons. SCA Chairman Osama Rabie said the return of major shipping lines reflects the authority's sustained marketing efforts and is expected to boost maritime traffic, encouraging other lines to resume voyages through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb via the Suez Canal. "Traffic in the canal is expected to gradually improve next year, reaching normal levels in the second half of 2026," Rabie added. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
