This was in response to statements by US President Donald Trump, who demanded free passage for American ships through the canal. The head of the authority revealed that the Suez Canal faced a major crisis due to attacks by the “Ansar Allah” in the Red Sea, which led to a reduction in the number of passing ships by more than half. He noted that the current number ranges from 30 to 35 ships daily, compared to over 65 ships before the crisis. Canal revenues also fell by 61% last year, recording $3.9 billion compared to $10.2 billion in 2023. The number of transiting ships decreased from 26,434 ships in 2023 to 13,213 ships in 2024. Rabie expressed optimism about the return of navigation to normal once the war in Gaza stops, stating: “With the end of the war, there will be no justification for Ansar Allah to target ships.” He also urged global insurance companies to reduce insurance rates for ships passing through the Red Sea to encourage a return to the canal. In an attempt to contain the crisis, Egypt offered discounts of up to 15% for large container ships, but the biggest challenge remains linked to ending the conflict in the region and restoring stability to international navigation. It is noteworthy that last April, US President Donald Trump stated that American ships, both military and commercial, should pass through the Panama and Suez Canals for free. Trump added, “These canals would not exist without the United States. I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to urgently follow up on this matter.”
