Exchange of Notes for the Grant “the Project for the Construction of Diving Support Vessel” to the Arab Republic of Egypt

 
          On August 17, in El Alamein, the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. IWAI Fumio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Arab Republic of Egypt, and H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt, signed and exchanged notes concerning a grant of up to 3.478 billion yen for “the Project for the Construction of Diving Support Vessel” for the provision of a diving support vessel.
 

1. The Suez Canal, located in northeastern Egypt, serves as a critical maritime route connecting Europe and Asia by the shortest sea route. Expansion and maintenance of the canal require surveying and diving inspections; however, the Egyptian government does not possess dedicated vessels for these tasks, making it difficult to conduct surveys safely and efficiently. In addition, the canal is frequently affected by sandstorms, heavy rains, and other adverse weather, which occasionally cause maritime accidents, making rapid response to such incidents an urgent issue.

 

2. This project aims to equip a diving support vessel for carrying out surveys and maintenance work necessary for the canal’s expansion projects, as well as rescue operations in the event of a grounding accidents. Through this cooperation, Japan aims to contribute to the stable, sustainable operation of the Suez Canal, ensuring the safety of all vessels navigating this vital international waterway and supporting global supply chain resilience.