Suez Canal

Size limits

Draught 20.11m, loaded vessels of 240,000DWT.

Vessels with beam of up to 77.5m can transit the Canal in ballast with a max draught 12.2m in good weather conditions and wind speed of not more than 10kts.

Ballast vessels with a beam exceeding 74.6m require prior approval of the Suez Canal Authority to transit the Canal.

Note: The Suez Canal Authority has decided to permit all vessels with a draught of 13.0m (42.6ft) to transit with the First Convoy South Bound through Port Said Western Waterway, whereas with the Second Convoy, according to the present regulations, the max permissible draught is 12.8m, under 45m beam and less than 90,000SCGT.

Largest vessel handled: Laden 246,000DWT. Ballast 554,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Red Sea side: Tropical.

Mediterranean Sea side: Summer.

Tides

S Little Bitter Lake, 0.2m. Port Tewfik, 2.0m.

From Nov to Apr the general set of the current between Bur Said and Great Bitter Lake is N going, and from Jun to Oct it is S going. The rate of the current depends upon any variation in the height of the level of the Mediterranean Sea, which may increase or change the direction of the periodical canal current.

The average rate of the current is seldom more than 1kt, though it varies from 0.5kt to 2kts, but it lessens towards Great Bitter Lake.

Approach

The Canal is dredged to 20.1m, permitting oil tankers up to 240,000GT to transit. To conform to international convention, the Local Direction of Buoyage is the direction taken by the mariner when approaching the Canal from seaward. In view of the double ended nature of the canal there is a point at which the buoyage direction is reversed. This is at Km 4,000 and Km 2,800E in approx. Latitude 31°13.5'N. N of these positions (in Bur Said harbour and approaches) the port hand buoys are on the E side of the channel and starboard to the W. To the S of these positions the buoyage is reversed.

Contact the Ismailia Radio/SUQ on VHF Ch. (12,13 and 16) 15 miles prior to the arrival at Fairway Buoy (31°21.32'N 032°20.81'E) .

Anchorages

South Anchorage (Zone Two) (31°26.5'N 032°27.5'E) and Transhipment Anchorage (vessels less than 18.3m draught) (31°24.5'N 032°26.5'E).

Southern approach anchorages - Port Suez:

Deep draught vessel: All N bound deep draught vessels with a draught in excess of 11.6m including VLCC's, bulk carriers and third and fourth generation container ships, LASH ships over 35,000DWT, and LPG and LNG vessels (loaded or not gas free) awaiting a canal pilot should anchor in the designated Deep Draught Vessel Anchorage, SSE of Conry Rock (29°48.0'N 032°34.0'E).

These deep draught anchorage berths, which are allocated by the Suez Canal Authority, are designated V1 in the N part of the anchorage to V9 in its S part.

A lightbuoy with a letter designation "L", is moored on the E side of the deep draught anchorage about 1/25nm WSW of Ras Diheisa (29°45.5'N 032°40.0'E) and close SW of a detached shoal patch with a least depth over it of 5.8m.

Main anchorage: All other N bound vessels awaiting a pilot should anchor in the designated waiting area, N of Conry Rock.

These anchorage berths, which are numbered 1-29, are bounded on their N and E sides by lightbuoys (special) designated, A, B, C, D, N and M.

Anchorage regulations: Vessels anchoring at Port Said North and South Anchorages, Suez Roads, the Bitter Lakes Anchorages and Lake Timsah are not authorised to change anchorage berth, or make fast alongside another vessel, or carry out any cargo operations, without explicit authorisation from the Suez Canal Authority.

Transhipment anchorages: Two transhipment areas, designated A and B, have been established, 0.65nm SSE of Conry Rock (29°48.0'N 032°34.0'E) and 3nm SE of South Shoal (29°39.0'N 032°36.0'E). Zone A is used by vessels with draught up to 18.28m and Zone B is designed to accommodate vessels more than 18.28m.

Zone 1 is for vessels with draught between 12.8m and 18.89m. Zone 2 is for VLCC's, ULCC's, car carriers, Ro-Ro ships, container ships, bulk carriers and vessels with draught up to 12.8m. Zone 3 is for vessels with draught between 18.89m and 20.11m.

Restrictions

Bridge: El Ferdan Suspension bridge at Qantara, vessels are restricted to a maximum airdraught of 68m at MHWS.

Transit speed: Laden LPG, LNG, oil tankers and bulk carriers except containers ships with draught more than 13.41m cannot exceed 7.5kts. Other types of vessels must not proceed with more than 8.6kts.

Loaded vessels can transit Suez Canal both ways on max draught 20.1m corresponding to beam 50m.

Ballast vessels with beam up to 74m must have draught less than 12.1m or the vessel's recommended ballast draught.

Vessels with beam over 74m need prior approval from Suez Canal Authority.

Mooring

Mooring bollards: Mooring bollards, with the exception of the Great Bitter Lake, are situated on both banks of the Canal about 200m apart; these mooring bollards will bear a strain of up to 60t.

Mooring ropes: Six or more flexible mooring ropes (manilla, hemp, etc), in good condition, must be in readiness at suitable points on deck in case it should be necessary to make fast in the Canal; all arrangements must be made for their quick handling. It is noted, however, that the use of synthetic mooring ropes able to produce sparks by their manipulation is absolutely forbidden onboard petroleum tankers and LPG or LNG carriers, or any vessels carrying flammable substances.

Mooring boats must be in constant readiness for lowering to enable them to run hawsers to the mooring bollards without delay.

The number of mooring boats required to be carried is based on the vessel's Suez Canal Gross Tonnage.

Article 2 - Agents

Article 3 - Canal Waters

Note: (i) Port Said Eastern and Western entrance channels, Suez Entrance channel which includes the Port of Suez Eastern channel leading to the Canal entrance.

Article 4 - Responsibilities

Article 5 - Temporary delaying of vessels

Article 6 - Pilotage

H - Port of Suez: Notes: (i) Port of Suez is delimited by the imaginary line which extends from Ras Adabeya to Eyoun Moussa and comprises the coastal zone north of this up to Suez Canal entrance.

Should hoist a black ball over "G" by day and 3 white lights by night in a vertical line. These signals are to be hoisted where they can best be seen.

PILOTAGE

Article 11 - Pilotage

All vessels entering or leaving Canal Waters, must take a pilot (pilotage is compulsory). However, the Suez Canal Authority reserves the right to assign a tug Master onboard vessels under 1,500GT and under 800GT a coxswain, instead of a pilot.

Navy vessels and vessels carrying dangerous cargo must have a pilot regardless of their tonnage.

Roads pilots onboard vessels arriving from sea shall hand over to the Master, the Declaration of State of Navigability and the Pilotage Form.

Masters are held solely responsible for all damage or accidents of whatever kind resulting from the navigation or handling of their vessels directly or indirectly by day or night.

The pilot must inform the Movement Control Office or the Port Office immediately by W/T, radio telex, Inmarsat and/or VHF or UHF if his advice regarding the safety of navigation is not accepted or not respected by the vessel.

Article 28 - Searchlight:

Before transiting the Canal, the vessel should be provided with a searchlight (projector) complying with the following conditions and specifications.

Article 50 - Limit time of arrival to join Convoys: (i)

Over 74.6m (245ft)

Notes: (i) Vessels of a beam up to 74.6m (245ft) transit the Canal in a beam wind not exceeding 10kts.

(ii) Vessels of beam over 74.6m (245ft) may be allowed to transit the Canal under special request.

Charts and publications

BA 4200. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP283(1) & NP283(3)

ETA and pre-arrival notices

CONVOY SYSTEM - ARRIVAL LIMITS:

1st Southbound Convoy: Arrival limit time 1900hrs.

Movements start next day at 0001hrs. Passage duration 13-16hrs.

If arrive between 1900-2100hrs can join 1st convoy by paying 3% additional tolls.

If arrive between 2100-2200hrs can join 1st convoy by paying 5% additional tolls.

If arrive after 2200hrs, SCA may permit to join by paying 10% additional tolls.

2nd Southbound Convey: Arrival limit time 0300hrs.

Movement start same day at 0700hrs. Passage duration 15-18hrs.

If arrive between 0300-0400hrs can join 2nd convoy by paying 3% additional tolls.

If arrive between 0400-0500hrs can join 2nd convoy by paying 5% additional tolls.

If arrive after 0500hrs, SCA may permit to join by paying 10% additional tolls.

Northbound Convoy (one per day)

Movements start at 0600hrs. Passage duration 10-13hrs.

Arrival limit time 0100hrs: VLCC, tankers with crude or products, LPG/LNG (non gas free), container vessels over 40,000SCGT, LASH vessels over 35,000SCGT, vessels with draught over 11.5m or LBP over 290m, navy vessels.

If arrive between 0100-0300hrs can join convoy by paying 3% additional tolls.

If arrive between 0300-0400hrs can join convoy by paying 5% additional tolls.

If arrive after 0400hrs, SCA may permit to join by paying 10% additional tolls.

Arrival limit time 0300hrs: Other types of vessels.

If arrive between 0300-0400hrs can join convoy by paying 3% additional tolls.

If arrive between 0400-0500hrs can join convoy by paying 5% additional tolls.

If arrive 0500hrs, SCA may permit to join by paying 10% additional tolls.

Southbound Lat 31°28.7'N

Northbound Lat 29°42.8'N (tankers group) or Lat 29°48.3'N (ordinary group).

Note: Tankers loading at Suez petroleum jetty are not allowed to sail between sunset and sunrise, not being able to join the same day convoy, unless unberth/anchor at roads before sunset.

Communications

Port Said Port Office: VHF Ch 12 or 16

Port Tewfik Port Office: VHF Ch 14

Suez: Suez Canal Authority Pilot Station: Ch 14, 16

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Marine Communication Center (Ismailia Radio): Tel: +2 064 3393118/26/28/16, Fax: +2 064 3393517/3393230, Telex: 580-462299911, VHF Channel: 68, Email: [email protected]

Documents

Any other information that may be relevant to the vessel's transit of the canal.

Certificate of Registry is taken ashore by the ships agent and returned after completing the canal transit.

Classification Certificate should be translated into Arabic or English, if necessary, and duly certified by the relevant embassy or consulate in Egypt.

Notices and regulations

Vessel Inspections: All vessels will be inspected for Suez Canal requirements prior to transit. masters of vessels transiting the Suez Canal must cooperate with Commission inspectors in the performance of their duties without any dispute from the crew.

In case an inspector is unable to perform their duties due to the interception of the Captain or crew, the following penalties will be applied:

1) The ship will be stopped for 7 days in custody.

2) The ship's captain, or the person obstructing the Commission inspector shall be questioned by the military prosecutor's office.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Transport Sector.

Position: Head of Department

Address: 4 Petolomy Street, Alexandria, 21514, Egypt.

Fax: +203 484 2096

Email: [email protected]

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Class NK.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available at Port Said and Suez shipyards.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available at Port Said and Suez.

Medical

At Suez and Port Said.

Crew change

Possible, contact the agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Cairo.

Nearest railway: At Suez and Port Said.

Where it is

The Suez Canal provides access between the Mediterranean and Red Seas via the canal, including the Timsah and Bitter Lakes.

The port

Total transit length is 193km and the transit time averages approx 12-16 hours, averaging 46 ships per day. The Canal runs between Port Said at the Mediterranean end and Port Tewfik at the Red Sea end. The Canal is at sea level throughout. Container traffic accounts for over half of all goods being transported using the Canal.

A new canal has been built along a 72km stretch of land, running parallel to the old canal, in additional to the deepening and widening of the Great Bitter Lakes by-passes and Ballah by-pass. Creating a new canal, parallel to the existing one, maximises the benefit of the Canal and its by-passes by enabling traffic to pass in both directions, minimising the waiting time for transiting ships. The new Canal section also helps to increase traffic on the waterway, in anticipation of expected growth in world trade.

Navigation on the Canal is in accordance with the "Suez Canal Rules of Navigation" and the "Dangerous Cargo Appendix". Conditions further require that the ship's Tropical Load Line be apparent and in accordance with the International Load Line Convention and forward, aft and amidships draught marks be clearly marked on port and starboard sides.

Traffic

Approximately 1,000,000,000t of cargo, 40,000,000TEU and 26,000 vessels transit the Suez Canal annually. Out of the 1,000,000,000t of cargo 35,000,000t are coal transit the Suez Canal annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Suez Canal?

Compulsory for vessels over 300 Suez GT.

What time zone is Suez Canal in?

Local time at Suez Canal is UTC+2. Clocks go to UTC+3 on 29 Apr 2027. Back to UTC+2 on 28 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Suez Canal?

1025.

Which load line zone is Suez Canal in?

Red Sea side: Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Suez Canal?

The UN/LOCODE of Suez Canal is EGSCN.

What crews who called at Suez Canal say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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