Digital Transformation (DT) became very crucial issue in the business world with major impacts on any of its sectors. In a maritime context, applying digital technologies can help achieving sustainability goals and gaining a competitive advantage through reducing costs, enhancing efficiency and improving environmental protection. Theoretically, few studies described the effects of DT on maritime competitiveness. In this paper, the channels through which DT is transmitted to influence competitiveness based on service quality are identified and a survey is used to study how DT can contribute to affect the quality of maritime services of the Suez Canal. The results highlighted the significance of DT in affecting maritime competitiveness in the Suez Canal through affecting processes, management, outcomes, resources and image. Results stressed on the need for directing Suez Canal authority to more focus on investing in physical infrastructure and human capital to accelerate the transformation towards automated and smart procedures.