As maritime traffic through the Suez Canal shows recovery and security conditions in the Red Sea are beginning to stabilize, Greece’s Port of Piraeus is re-emerging as one of the most critical gateways for trade flows between Asia and Europe, according to Greece’s state news agency AMNA.
The gradual normalization of shipping routes following years of disruptions makes Piraeus a strategic hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, though piracy incidents off Somalia continue to raise concerns for vessel safety across the Indian Ocean.
Global developments benefiting role of Piraeus
Encouraging signals have also come from the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) lately. During a meeting in Ismailia with representatives from twenty shipping companies, SCA chairman Admiral Ossama Rabiee announced that from July to October 2025, 4,405 ships carrying 185 million tons of cargo transited the canal, compared with 4,332 ships and 167.6 million tons in the same period last year.
He welcomed the decision by French shipping group CMA CGM to restore two of its ultra-large container ships, each capable of carrying over 170,000 tons, and described this as a vote of confidence that will aid the gradual restoration of maritime flows.
Several global carriers expressed readiness to resume full use of the Suez Canal, too. Representatives from Maersk confirmed plans to expand investments in Egypt, citing strong support from national authorities following a recent meeting between group chairman Robert Uggla and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The Gulf Agency urged collaboration with the International Maritime Organization to inform the global shipping community about improving conditions in the Red Sea.
COSCO Shipping and EVERGREEN also signaled intent to increase transits once regional stability is ensured. The Suez Canal Authority has introduced discounts on transit fees, expanded its tug fleet, and completed intensified works in the western section of Port Said to secure alternative navigation routes during emergencies. Before the Houthi attacks disrupted shipping, the canal averaged 72 to 75 vessel transits daily, exceeding 26,000 per year. During the crisis, traffic fell by nearly half to 35 to 40 vessels a day.
These developments help Piraeus to consolidate its position as one of the most advanced ports in the Mediterranean, fully equipped to service the latest generation of ultra-large container ships (ULCS). The Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) now offers 18‑meter depths and Super-Post-Panamax cranes capable of handling vessels with over 24 rows across, matching top European hubs.
According to Alphaliner data, ultra-large container vessels have surpassed smaller Neo‑Sub‑Panamax ships in global capacity, confirming an industry-wide shift toward larger, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable giants. By year’s end, over 430 ultra-large container ships are expected to be in service, representing a combined capacity of over eight million TEU, referring to a twenty-foot equivalent unit, a standardized measure used in shipping to quantify cargo capacity.
With this trend accelerating, Piraeus is positioning itself as a central hub in the evolving maritime network linking Asia, the Mediterranean, and Europe.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
