First vessel in new anti-pollution support fleet inaugurated in Egypt

Eco-Suez I, the first ship in Anti-Pollution Egypt's (APE's) new waste collection fleet, was inaugurated in a ceremony this week in the Ismailia Governorate.

The waste collection from vessels crossing the Suez Canal, in the vicinity of the northern and southern entrances, and subsequent disposal service, will begin during the first quarter of 2025.

APE explained that the new service will take into account the application of international environmental standards in accordance with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), by "utilising advanced marine equipment specialised in marine waste removal operations with environmentally friendly methods."

APE said that Eco-Suez I features an effective hull design, environmentally friendly paints, and low-emission engines designed to achieve the highest level of fuel consumption efficiency. The fleet will be bolstered by a number of self-propelled marine barges and rigid inflatable-boats (RIBs).

The Suez Canal Authority said that contracts are underway to build a group of environmentally friendly waste collection vessels in cooperation with the authority's shipyards and companies, provided that the contract includes the possibility of building hybrid units that operate on alternative fuel.

Vyron Vasileiadis, Chairman of APE owner V Group, explained that the project will be implemented in several stages, with the first stage including the collection of solid waste from ships in waiting areas, followed in the next stages by the establishment of a plant for fuel derived from waste to produce green hydrogen.

APE is an Egyptian joint stock company in partnership between the Suez Canal Authority, represented by the Canal Ropes Company and the Suez Shipyard Company (an SCA-affiliated company), and the Greek company Antipollution.