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Egypt Independent
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Egypt Independent
Photos: One of the world's largest car carriers transits Suez Canal
The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Osama Rabie announced that BYD XI'AN, one of the world's largest car carriers, has made its first voyage through the Suez Canal coming from Singapore and heading to Italy. The car carrier is 219 meters long, 37 meters wide, and has a draft of 10 meters. It has a capacity of 9,442 cars and was carrying 7,000 on board. The carrier is operated by the Chinese shipping line BYD, the largest Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles. This is the shipping line's second voyage through the Suez Canal, following the transit of the BYD HEFEI on June 27. The Chairman of the SCA explained that the canal has lately seen many positive developments in car carrier traffic and their transit rates, even despite current challenges. Rabie anticipated an increase in the number of trips by the BYD shipping line, in addition to the regularity of some transits by the COSCO shipping line within its shipping services, in cooperation with Neptune Lines, which connects the Far East and the Mediterranean. He referred to the passage of two trips under the United Global Ro-Ro shipping service, which was launched in February, linking Far East ports with Mediterranean ports and northwestern Europe. Car carriers transiting the Suez Canal once again sends a message of confidence that the Canal will remain the main artery for global trade from East to West, he added. The gradual return of major shipping lines to transiting the canal is inevitable, he assured, the pace of which depends on the current situation and geopolitical challenges in the region. Rabie also expects the tonnage of car carriers transiting the canal to increase by at least 20 percent in the second half of this year compared to the first half of the same year.
Al-Ahram Weekly
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Al-Ahram Weekly
China's BYD car carrier crosses Suez Canal on maiden voyage - Urban & Transport
BYD XI'AN, one of the world's largest car carriers, has successfully completed its maiden transit through Egypt's Suez Canal, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced on Tuesday. The vessel, part of the southbound convoy, entered the international waterway from Singapore and is en route to Italy. According to SCA Chairman Osama Rabie, the BYD XI'AN measures 219 metres in length, 37 metres in width, and has a draft of 10 metres. It boasts a capacity of 9,442 vehicles and is currently carrying 7,000 cars. The ship is operated by the Chinese shipping line BYD, an affiliate of BYD Auto – the leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. This marks the second passage by a BYD-operated car carrier through the Suez Canal, following the transit of the BYD HEFEI on 27 June. Rabie highlighted several positive indicators suggesting a steady return and increasing frequency of car carrier transits through the canal, despite ongoing global challenges. He also noted an expected rise in BYD voyages, as well as consistent transits by vessels affiliated with the Chinese shipping line COSCO, in cooperation with Neptune Lines. These routes link the Far East to the Mediterranean. Two voyages have been recorded as part of a new service launched in February 2025 by United Global Ro-Ro, connecting ports in the Far East with the Mediterranean and northwest Europe. Rabie emphasised that the return of car carriers to the Suez Canal is a strong vote of confidence in the waterway's continued role as a vital artery of global trade between East and West. He predicted a minimum 20 percent increase in car carrier tonnage through the canal in the second half of 2025 compared to the first half, as geopolitical and regional conditions evolve. Captain Rizwan Kapadi, who commanded the BYD XI'AN, praised the Suez Canal as the shortest, fastest, and safest route for global trade. He cited the canal's ability to significantly reduce sailing time and distance, along with its high safety standards, favourable navigation conditions, and climatic stability, especially when compared to the alternative route around the Cape of Good Hope. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
