Vice Admiral Osama Rabie: From the Depths of the Sea to the Summit of the Suez Canal

In a career marked by dedication and discipline, Vice Admiral Osama Rabie stands out as one of Egypt’s most prominent military leaders. With steady progress and remarkable competence, he rose through the ranks to assume leadership of one of the country’s most strategic institutions: the Suez Canal Authority.

Born in 1955, Vice Admiral Rabie began his national journey upon graduating from the Naval Academy in 1977. He then joined the Egyptian Navy, where he held several key command roles and gained substantial operational and academic experience that prepared him to lead some of Egypt’s most critical naval formations.

Among his most notable positions in the Navy:
• Commander of a minesweeper within the minesweeper group.
• Chief of Staff of the Mine Countermeasures Brigade.
• Head of Naval Arts Department at the Naval Academy.
• Commander of the Mine Countermeasures Brigade.

He also held leadership roles in Egypt’s main naval bases:
• Commander of the Suez Naval Base.
• Commander of the Alexandria Naval Base.

In the academic field, he served as:
• Director of the Naval Academy.
• Deputy Director of the Naval Academy.

On the strategic level, he assumed major responsibilities including:
• Head of the Navy’s Organization and Administration Department.
• Head of Naval Operations Department.
• Assistant Commander of the Navy.
• Chief of Staff of the Navy.

On April 11, 2015, he was appointed Commander of the Egyptian Navy, one of the main branches of the Armed Forces, and was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral on March 17, 2016. 

A pivotal moment in his career came on December 17, 2016, when he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, which oversees one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors. He later became the Chairman of the Authority, spearheading development and expansion efforts, continuing his distinguished service in a civilian role that demands strategic foresight and high-level management.

Throughout his illustrious career, Vice Admiral Rabie has received several medals and honors, including:
• The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
• The Military Duty Medal, Second and First Class.
• The Distinguished Service Medal.
• The January 25, 2011 Medal.
• The June 30, 2013 Medal.

Vice Admiral Rabie exemplifies a unique blend of military rigor and administrative vision—an ideal leader who has known no path but that of discipline and national service, whether at sea or on land, in command posts or field operations, and now on the banks of the Suez Canal.

As he continues to lead one of Egypt’s most vital sovereign institutions, his journey remains a powerful source of inspiration for generations of young people committed to serving their country with excellence and deep 
national pride.

Sources:
• Alexandria Chamber of Shipping
• Youm7 News
• Ain News Network