Ship traffic through the Suez Canal increased 17.38% year on year during the first eight months of 2026, with 9,602 vessels transiting the waterway compared with 8,180 vessels in the corresponding period of 2025.
According to the Suez Canal Authority, canal revenues rose 34.64% to $3.493 billion, up from $2.594 billion a year earlier, representing an increase of nearly $899 million. Total vessel tonnage also increased 33.43%, reaching 437.93 million tons compared with 328.22 million tons in the same period last year.
August recorded particularly strong growth, with 1,358 vessels transiting the canal, up 26.92% from 1,070 vessels in August 2025. Monthly revenues surged 57.53% to $570.23 million, compared with $361.99 million a year earlier.
In July, vessel transits increased to 1,340 from 1,055 in July 2025, while revenues rose 42.41% year on year to $506.74 million.
Suez Canal Authority Chairman and Managing Director Adm. Ossama Rabiee said the canal continues to be affected by geopolitical developments in the region. However, he noted that major shipping lines have not announced changes to their Red Sea and Suez Canal routes despite continuing regional tensions.