The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) intends to continue collaborating with the Egyptian government to increase the volume of maritime trade that transits through the Suez Canal.

Speaking at the Suez Canal Global Conference (SCGC) in Cairo, the chamber’s general-secretary, Peter Hinchliffe, noted the inauguration of the Suez Canal extension in 2015 had already contributed to an addition in the total volume of international trade.

Hinchliffe however said that further discussions with the Egyptian government may lead to additional methods of cooperation and the expansion of maritime trade routes.

As a prominent international trade association, ICS represents national shipping associations in Asia, Europe, and the American continents, whose shipping companies are responsible for the transport of over 80% of the total tonnage in international trade. The company is a representative of these companies in communicating with intergovernmental regulatory bodies, and adheres to those standards issued by the UN.

In the same session, Chairman of Seatrade Chris Hayman praised the Egyptian government’s expediency in developing the Suez Canal extension.  “It was inspiring that Egyptians could finish the development and expansion of the Suez Canal in only a year instead of three,” he said.