Photo courtesy of Egypt's cabinet
The vessel, operated by France’s CMA CGM, transited as part of the southbound convoy after safely passing through the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, sailing from Singapore en route to Malta, according to the authority.
The transit highlights the canal’s capacity to accommodate the latest generation of ultra-large, environmentally friendly container ships, reinforcing its role as a key artery for global trade.
SCA Chairman Osama Rabie said the ship’s passage represents “a new vote of confidence” in the canal’s ability to receive the largest vessels in the global fleet. He described the canal as a “safe and sustainable” route that reduces fuel consumption by shortening voyage distances, compared to alternative routes, in line with environmental standards supported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The CMA CGM GRAND PALAIS, which operates on the MEX service linking Far East ports with the Mediterranean, is 400 metres long and 61 metres wide, with a capacity of 23,876 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and a total tonnage of 240,000 tons.
In line with standard protocol for first-time transits, senior SCA pilots boarded the vessel to welcome its crew and present a commemorative plaque to its captain.
Rabie said cooperation with CMA CGM is “close and longstanding,” noting that vessels operated by the French shipping group continue to transit the canal as a preferred route despite regional challenges.
Captain Liang Zhihua, the ship’s master, said ongoing development projects in the canal’s navigation channel have enhanced flexibility and safety for mega vessels, adding that the professionalism and expertise of SCA pilots were key to ensuring a smooth transit.
The Suez Canal is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, providing the shortest maritime link between Asia and Europe and handling roughly 12 percent of global trade.
The transit comes a week after the giant cruise ship MSC Euribia, one of the world’s largest passenger vessels, made its first passage through the Suez Canal after being stranded for weeks near the Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions.
The LNG-powered cruise ship later altered its route to pass through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal on its voyage from the United Arab Emirates to Malta, rather than taking the longer, costlier route around the Cape of Good Hope, according to the SCA.
The back-to-back transits of mega vessels underscore a gradual return of traffic to the canal, as shipping lines reassess routes following disruptions that had forced many ships to divert away from the Red Sea.
These diversions have reduced traffic through the canal and increased voyage times and fuel costs, prompting shipping lines to reassess routing decisions based on security, insurance, and operational efficiency.
The Suez Canal Authority has accelerated waterway development and fleet modernization efforts in recent years, including channel widening, deepening projects, and the expansion of its escort and pilotage capabilities, to accommodate next-generation mega vessels and enhance transit safety.
Short link: