N.B.: For safety measures, L.P.G. and L.N.G. vessels in ballast or loaded and loaded chemicals in bulk are included in the loaded Tankers group.
Suez Canal Northbound Transit
- Arrival time
- Which vessels are entitled to NB convoy
- Transit documentation
- Masters reporting procedure
- Tugs
- Escorts
- Special Transit Rigs
- Towed Units and other Special Cases
North bound convoy: (SCA circle 4/2003) – Group (A) Tankers
Arrival time: 0100 HRS
North of latitude 29 42.8 N In favorable navigational conditions, the limit time for arrivals from South is to be extended as shown below.
- Vessels arriving between 0100 and 0300 hrs such ships can join the tanker group against the payment of a surcharge equal of 3% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 7000.
- When arriving after 0300 hrs and up to 0400 hrs such ships can still join the tanker group against the payment of a surcharge equal to 5% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 10500
- Vessels arriving after 0400 hrs may join the northbound convoy, if traffic conditions permit, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 10% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 20000.
North bound convoy: (SCA circle 4/2003) – Group (B) Ordinary Ships
Arrival time: 0300 HRS
- Vessels that are allowed to join the ordinary group can do so when arriving after 0300 and up to 0400 hrs against the payment of a surcharge equal to 3% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 7000.
- Vessels arriving after 0400 and up to 0500 can join the group against the payment of a surcharge equal to 5% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 10500.
- Vessels arriving after 0500 hrs may join the group, if traffic conditions permit, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 10% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 20000.
Group A + B include the following vessels
Arrival time: 0300 HRS
Group A
Navy ships, 4 th generation containerships, 3 rd generation containerships over 40,000 SC.G.T. & similar, LASH over 35,000 SC.G.T., L.P.G. and L.N.G. (Loaded or N.G.F.), and loaded chemicals carriers (see Art. 54 p. 70)
Loaded VLCC’s, conventional loaded Tankers and heavy bulk carriers (Draught over 38 feet or length over 950 feet B.P.)
Group B
Cargo and other vessels anchored in Suez Anchorages.
Northbound Convoy
The Northbound convoy has a free run from Port of Suez till Port-Said. It passes through the east Kabrit channel, the eastern dredged channel in the bitter lakes, the east channel of the Deversoir, the east channel of Lake Timsah, the east channel of Ballah loop and the east channel from KM. 17 Northward.
In case the northbound convoy has to stop in the Bitter Lakes due to traffic situation of southbound convoy or emergency, the following must be considered:
- Container vessels heading the convoy will drop anchor in the suitable
- East Anchorage Areas of the Bitter Lakes.
- VLCC’s will anchor in the suitable East Anchorage according to their draught.
- All other vessels will anchor in the East Area corresponding to their draught.
- Three berths are available in Kabrit East Branch in case of emergency.
