South Bound Convoy

Arrival Limit

1st Convoy
Fixed arrival limit: 2300hrs south of lat. 31 28.7 N limited by long. 32 37.43 E.

In favourable navigational conditions, the limit time for arrivals from North is to be extended as shown below.

1. When arriving between 2300hrs and 2400hrs such ships can join the tanker group against the payment of a surcharge equal of 5% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 12500
2. When arriving after 2400hrs and up to 0100hrs such ships can still join the tanker group against the payment of a surcharge equal to 10% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 25000.
3. Vessels arriving after 0100hrs may join the northbound convoy, if traffic conditions permit, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 12% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of SDR 30000.

Movement of Group: From 0330hrs to 0800hrs.

Documents Required

The following documents and certificates should be on board ships passing the Canal:

• Suez canal special tonnage certificate and calculation sheet issued by recognized classification society, (in absence of this certificate the SCA will charge toll on a provisional tonnage usually on grt).
• Certificate of Registry, showing latest ship’s name and present owners
• GA/engine room/capacity plan
• Statistical declaration
• Copies of cargo manifests and bills of lading (Dangerous / radioactive cargo should be properly manifested and submit stow plan verified by a competent authority of loading port.)
• Declaration concerning use of double bottom tanks and the lower parts of the high tanks.
• Declaration concerning vessels in ballast
• Declaration concerning state of navigability
• Classification certificate
• Piping plan and general arrangement for LPG/LNG tankers
• Piping plan and general arrangement for LPG/LNG tankers
• All other known documents / certificates which a seaworthy trading ship should have on board

Master is required to fill in various forms handed to him by the agent.

• Mooring & Projector

• Mooring:
  All vessels transiting Canal must hire mooring boats from the Canal Mooring and Light company. All boats are to assist ship to moor in the Canal ports, in case of need or emergency. Ship must be equipped with lifting means of 4 Mts. capacity, with valid certificate and must be installed in a position well clear of the ship’s propellers. Ships with SCGRT up to 2.500 ts should hire one mooring boat. If over 2.500 ts two mooring boats should be hired. For the operation of mooring boats three crew (shore men) are boarding per boat. Ships that cannot lift the Canal mooring boats are allowed to use their own life boats provided same is approved by the pilot.

Please note: Ship’s officers must supervise lifting/lowering of mooring boats ensuring that all safety measures have been properly taken. Ship remain ultimately responsible for any human accident or damage caused during operation for mooring boats and Canal projector.

Canal projector: All ships passing the Canal must have onboard a canal projector placed on the axis of the bow, able to illuminate 1800 meters. Vessels carrying petroleum products (or inflammable substances), LPG/LNG, should have their own “gastight” projector. Also, ships with bulbous bow must have their own projector unless their bow is 10 ft below sea level, in order not to endanger lowering and lifting operations to eliminate high risk of accidents. Vessels that have their own projector should be of approved type and have a certificate of type test issued by a pertinent recognized authority, being in accordance with the Canal rules.

Ship may be supplied with a portable projector, in which case special installation required. The so called Floating projector weighs about 1,5 mts, and ship should provide capable means for lifting.

Please note: Ships should supply uninterrupted electricity for smooth and continuous operation of the projector. For safety reasons the electric cables and connections leading to the projector position, must be permanently fixed and installed. A gastight junction box must be permanently installed close to the projector. Irrespective if own or hired projector, two shore electricians will board to operate the projector during transit. Accommodation should be provided for them. Ship should comply with above conditions, otherwise subject to transit during day time only. In addition, if the defects are not restored until third consecutive transit a fine of USD 4.300 is imposed

Tugs & Imposed Tugs

In laden: 

• Under 70.000 SCNT if SCA deem it necessary or if draft exceeds 47 ft, one tug escort
• Between 70.000 – 90.000 SCNT, one tug escort
• Over 90.000 SCNT, two tugs escort

In ballast:

• Over 130.000 SCNT, one tug escort
• Ships with beam 218 – 233 ft, one tug. If beam over 233 ft, two tugs
• Towed scrap vessels 80.000 SCNT and over, one tug

LPG/LNG vessels from 25.000 SCNT will be escorted by one tug (except if gas free). If tank on deck completely separated from cargo tanks with maximum tonnage 180 ts will be considered as Gas free. Exemptions from tug escort:

• Laden if carrying other than LPG cargo.
• Ballast (NGF) but after a laden voyage with cargo other than LPG.
• If in ballast must present a Gas Free Certificate issued by a recognized class or locally authorized survey bureau.