President El-Sisi Meets with Prime Minister and SCA Chairman

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met today with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Admiral Osama Rabie.

The meeting discussed the follow-up of the projects to develop the Suez Canal and the results of investigations as well as conclusions drawn from the accident of the stranding of the container ship operated by the Evergreen Marine.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that Admiral Osama Rabei presented all the details of the Evergreen vessel accident and all the results of the investigations into the incident. He also pointed out the developments in negotiations with the ship's owners regarding the compensation Evergreen will pay as a result of the losses resulting from the Suez Canal blockage, rescue and refloating operations, and repairs to the sides of the canal.

In this context, the SCA Chairman confirmed that plans to develop this waterway and increase marine traffic during the coming period would be continued, efforts to support the authority's rescue service sector, which includes tugboats, devices and equipment, would be strengthened, and training programs increased.

The President re-expressed his appreciation for the successful management of the ship's grounding crisis, which was carried out with pure Egyptian efforts and expertise.

The President directed that projects aiming to develop the facilities of the Suez Canal Authority and its shipping channel, the most important artery of world trade, be continued in order to enhance the unique strategic position of the canal worldwide. All the necessary capabilities should be met to that end, the President asserted.

The Spokesman added that the meeting also addressed the statement of the shipping traffic in the Suez Canal during the period from last January until now in terms of the number of ships, cargo load and the total revenues of the canal.