The agreement, signed by representatives from the SCA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), marks a significant expansion of the canal’s specialized fleet. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, and SCA Chairman Admiral Osama Rabie.
The grant comes as the Suez Canal, a vital artery handling
approximately 12% of global trade, navigates a period of regional volatility.
Minister Al-Mashat noted that while tensions in the Red Sea since October 2023
had significantly impacted transit, a recent peace agreement mediated by
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has sparked a recovery.
"Activity in the canal has rebounded, recording
positive growth of 8.6% in the first quarter of the current fiscal year as
stability gradually returns to the Red Sea region," Al-Mashat said.
The new diving support vessel (DSV) is designed to meet
modern environmental sustainability standards, featuring a dual-fuel engine
powered by both diesel and natural gas. This configuration aims to reduce
carbon emissions and ensure sustainable operations within the canal.
Equipped for complex maritime operations, the unit includes
two decompression chambers to support search, rescue, and salvage missions. It
is further outfitted with advanced diving and search equipment, alongside an
integrated waste treatment unit to minimize its environmental footprint.
Admiral Osama Rabie emphasized that the vessel would be a
"unprecedented addition" to the canal’s rescue teams, aiding in
underwater search and recovery missions. He added that the fleet would be
further bolstered next year with the arrival of two high-powered rescue
tugboats.
Vessel Specifications: Sustainability: Equipped with a
dual-fuel engine (diesel and natural gas) to reduce carbon emissions. Dimensions:
45 meters long, 10 meters wide, with a weight of 620 tons. Equipment:
Includes two decompression chambers for divers, advanced search gear, and a
waste treatment unit. Construction: The unit will be built entirely in Japan
under Japanese supervisory standards.
The partnership reflects a long-standing developmental
relationship between Cairo and Tokyo. Yamamoto Atsushi, JICA Egypt’s Senior
Representative, highlighted that the collaboration between the SCA and JICA
spans nearly 70 years.
Suzuki Yusuke, the Economic Advisor at the Japanese Embassy
in Cairo, described the project as "mutually beneficial," noting that
ensuring the safety and efficiency of the Suez Canal is essential for both the
Egyptian economy and global trade stability.
The executive agreement follows an initial exchange of letters regarding the grant signed between the two governments last August.