The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has rolled out a new toll rebate scheme to win back container traffic rerouted during recent regional unrest. The move comes as global shipping lines reassess routes amidst improving security in the Red Sea and rising global freight volumes.
Effective May 15, 2025, the SCA introduced a 15% rebate on canal transit tolls for ultra-large container ships (ULCS) with a net tonnage of 130,000 tons or more. The offer is valid for a 90-day period and is intended to incentivize carriers operating Asia-Europe routes to resume using the Suez Canal as their primary corridor. The rebate is automatically applied at the port of origin, requiring no prior approval or submission of additional paperwork.
On June 18, the French-flagged CMA CGM Osiris, a vessel with a capacity of over 150,000 tons, became the first mega-ship to benefit from the scheme. Its successful northbound transit was widely reported in Egyptian and international media as a sign that confidence is returning to the vital waterway.
Since late 2023, many shipping lines had diverted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing voyage times and costs. The new rebate, combined with a relative de-escalation of Houthi attacks and recent ceasefire progress in the Red Sea corridor, aims to re-establish the Suez Canal as the fastest and most secure route connecting Asia to Europe.
SCA Chairman Osama Rabie confirmed that the authority is continuing to evaluate additional discounts for different vessel categories and cargo types in a bid to restore transit volumes to pre-crisis levels. “We are closely monitoring developments and working directly with shipping partners to ensure flexibility and commercial competitiveness,” Rabie stated.
The move has already drawn attention from major lines operating in the Far East, with several carriers reportedly in talks with agents and port authorities to assess rerouting plans for the coming months.
