The Media Center of the Egyptian Cabinet confirmed an improvement in navigation indicators in the Suez Canal during the first half of 2025, with the number of ships passing through the canal increasing by 3.1% to reach 3,074 ships in the second quarter of the same year, compared to about 2,981 ships in the first quarter.

The center explained that “net ship tonnage increased by 6% to reach 122.5 million tons during the second quarter.”

It pointed out that 661 ships diverted their route to pass through the canal instead of the Cape of Good Hope, raising revenues by 8.3% to reach $975.8 million in the second quarter compared to about $901.2 million in the first quarter.

Expansion and Doubling

It added: “The success of the Suez Canal in completing the development project of the southern sector, both expansion and doubling, and operating it for global trade movement achieved many advantages, most notably increasing the navigational safety factor by 28%, reducing the effects of water currents on passing ships, in addition to increasing the canal’s capacity by 6 to 8 ships.”

It continued: “The Suez Canal Authority achieved operational successes in 2025 including the passage of giant ships and large container ships, which contributed to Egypt advancing 3 global ranks in the Maritime Connectivity Index issued by UNCTAD, occupying the 19th position during the second quarter of 2025, compared to the 22nd position in the first quarter of the current year.”

Development Works

It said: “Development works included the addition of 24 different marine units to the canal’s fleet until April 2025, alongside the announcement of launching a service for collecting and removing waste from ships passing through the canal, as part of the announcement of the Green Canal by 2030, in addition to providing new navigational services including rescue and marine ambulance, pollution control, ship maintenance and repair, refueling, and crew changes.”

Development works also included launching incentives and a 15% discount for container ships exceeding a net tonnage of 130,000 tons, from May 15 to December 31, 2025.