The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has confirmed the successful maiden transit of the mega container ship CMA CGM Seine through the Suez Canal, marking a major milestone for the vital trade waterway.
The vessel — one of the largest container ships in the world — sailed northbound as part of a convoy during its first passage, departing Morocco and bound for Malaysia.
At roughly 250,000 gross tons and measuring 399 metres in length with a 61.3-metre beam, the CMA CGM Seine can carry up to 23,876 TEU, making it a high-capacity unit on the international maritime network.
Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, said the transit reflects “deep-seated confidence” in the canal’s ability to safely and efficiently handle ultra-large vessels, reinforcing its role as a critical link connecting Europe, Asia and beyond.
To support the maiden voyage, the SCA implemented enhanced navigational measures, including deployment of senior pilots, escort tugs and real-time monitoring via the canal’s traffic control network, ensuring a secure passage.
The crossing underscores a broader resurgence of mega-ship activity in the canal, which has seen increasing numbers of large container vessels return to the route as confidence improves and the authority enhances services for high-tonnage transits.