Egypt and Saudi Arabia Push for Secure Red Sea Navigation
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo on Sept. 15, 2026, and backed Saudi calls for secure and unhindered navigation in the Red Sea. Al Jazeera
Mohammed bin Salman stressed the importance of secure navigation in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea during the talks. The Bab al-Mandeb is the narrow passage that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Egyptian presidency said the two sides agreed on what it described as the Egyptian-Saudi position supporting freedom and security of maritime navigation in the Straits. Egyptian Presidency Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was part of the Saudi delegation that met el-Sisi.
The Egyptian presidency also stated that the security of Saudi Arabia and Gulf states is an integral part of Egypt's national security. Cairo has used that same wording in earlier statements about Gulf ties.
To understand that wording, it helps to see how Cairo connects the issues. It treats maritime security as an extension of a promise to Gulf partners, not only as a question of ships and cargo.
Egypt reported a loss of approximately $7 billion between 2023 and 2024, about 60 percent of Suez Canal revenues, according to the Suez Canal Authority. The Authority separately said revenues fell to $7.2 billion in the 2023-24 financial year as some shippers avoided the Red Sea. Reuters
In a joint statement during el-Sisi's visit to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia condemned attempts to undermine the security and safety of navigation in the Arabian Gulf, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea. El-Sisi and the Amir of Kuwait confirmed in April 2025 the vital importance of security and stability of navigation in the Red Sea and regional waterways. The Egyptian presidency had earlier described ensuring Red Sea security as a cornerstone of regional and international trade.
Mohammed bin Salman and el-Sisi agreed in October 2024 to deepen trade and investment cooperation. Reuters A Cairo meeting that month included discussions on Gaza and Lebanon. Days before the latest talks, the Saudi Crown Prince chaired a Cabinet session in Jeddah on Sept. 9, 2026. In April 2016, Israel gave its blessing to Egypt's return of two Red Sea islands in a strategic strait to Saudi Arabia.
The broader context here is continuity paired with cost. Cairo and Riyadh have used nearly identical maritime language for years. The difference now is the fiscal ledger attached to disruption, with Egypt citing a loss of about $7 billion and a 60 percent revenue decline.
Looking at what this means for diplomats and operators, the question is whether shared vocabulary becomes shared practice. Joint statements condemn threats and affirm freedom of navigation. They do not by themselves restore traffic. The Cairo meeting keeps Egypt-Saudi alignment explicit. What it produces will be measured in transits.
