Racine

CMA CGM, a leading worldwide shipping Group, is pleased to announce that the CMA CGM RACINE was the first vessel to cross the New East Port Said side Channel, during the Opening ceremony held on February, 24th. For this special occasion, Chérif Ismaïl, Egyptian Prime Minister, Saad El-Giuchy, Egyptian Minister of Transport, and Admiral Mohab Mamish, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority were present. Thanks to this new side channel, vessels will have a 24-hour access to East Port Said instead of current 8-hour access. This will bring much more flexibility on berthing windows and less restriction due to the Suez Canal convoy for ships who want to sail directly to the Mediterranean Sea or to berth. The project was concluded in November 2015 and completed within a few months. The new channel is 9km long, 250m width and 18m depth. Vessels up to 16.6m draft are able to cross it.