Suez Canal Transit
Transit through the Suez Canal between Port Said and Suez, 193 km, no locks, governed by the Suez Canal Authority.
In practice
Compulsory pilotage; northbound and southbound convoys form at fixed times. Master supervises mooring at the Bitter Lakes if convoy waits. Transit fees billed via the agent in advance per Suez Canal Authority tariff.
Regulatory detail & full definition
A Suez Canal transit is the passage between Port Said and Suez through the 193 km, lock-free Suez Canal, administered by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA). Ships move in scheduled northbound and southbound convoys, with a bypass channel allowing two-way traffic over part of the route. SCA pilots board to advise, but the master retains command throughout. The transit toll is one of the largest single costs of a voyage - on the order of USD 700,000 for a laden Suezmax tanker as of 2024 - with mooring, searchlight and tug charges additional.
Authoritative source: Suez Canal Authority ↗
Related
Source: Suez Canal Authority Rules of Navigation; SCA Tariff Book
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