- The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is launching a waste collection and safe disposal service for vessels transiting the canal.
- The service will begin in early 2025 at the canal’s northern and southern entrances.
- It will utilize advanced, environmentally friendly marine equipment, including the ECO SUEZ 1 vessel.
- The initiative aligns with international environmental standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- The project will evolve in phases, including plans for green hydrogen production from waste-derived fuel.
H.E. Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, announced today, Monday, via a report by the Suez Canal Authority, the arrival of marine units from the Anti-Pollution Egypt fleet. This milestone marks the imminent launch of a new service aimed at waste collection and its safe disposal from vessels transiting the canal. The service will commence in the first quarter of 2025, operating near the canal’s northern and southern entrances. Admiral Rabiee made the announcement during his inspection of marine units docked at the Al-Irshad Building in Ismailia Governorate.
Commitment to International Environmental Standards
The new service adheres to international environmental standards outlined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It employs advanced marine equipment designed for efficient and eco-friendly waste removal. A centerpiece of this initiative is the ECO SUEZ 1 vessel, which features an efficient hull design, environmentally friendly paints, and low-emission engines that optimize fuel consumption.
Complementing the ECO SUEZ 1 are several self-propelled marine barges and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). Additional eco-friendly waste collection vessels are being contracted for construction in collaboration with SCA shipyards and partner companies, with provisions to include hybrid units powered by alternative fuels.
Green Transformation Strategy
This waste collection initiative forms a critical component of the Suez Canal Authority’s green transformation strategy, which emphasizes environmentally friendly practices across its operations. To ensure compliance with global standards, the SCA will deploy permanent environmental representatives during service provision. Contractors engaged in waste collection will also receive specialized training in international waste management methods.
This effort is part of a collaborative framework involving the SCA, the Egyptian Marine Supply and Contracting Company, the Red Sea Ports Authority, and the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Together, these organizations aim to regularize the status of waste collection contractors, reinforcing the canal’s environmental sustainability goals.
International Collaboration and Future Plans
Vyron Vasileiadis, Chairman of V Group, the parent company of Antipollution, emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership. He stated that it represents a significant step toward localizing sustainable waste collection technologies, contributing to a better future for the Suez Canal and its surroundings.
The project will be implemented in phases, starting with solid waste collection from vessels in waiting areas. Future stages include the development of a facility to produce green hydrogen from waste-derived fuel, further enhancing the canal’s environmental contributions.
About Antipollution Egypt
Antipollution Egypt is a joint venture between the Suez Canal Authority (represented by the Canal Ropes Company and the Suez Shipyard Company), the Greek company Antipollution, and Egyptian-Greek businessman Eric Adam. The company’s mission is to deliver world-class waste collection and disposal services in accordance with the latest international environmental standards.
This initiative reaffirms the Suez Canal Authority’s commitment to sustainability and its leadership in green maritime practices.
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Source: Suez Canal Authority
