Suez Port :-
Port ID Number (ISPS Code)
14928
Acceptance date
24-6-2004
Time Zone
GMT +2
VHF
12 - 16
UNCTAD Code
EGSUZ
ISPS Code Source
Coordinate
Long
32 o 34 / E
Lat
29 o 56 / N
Natural Characteristics
Weather
Prevailing winds are the north and the north west winds.
Water Density
1.04 g./cm3
Raining Season
winter
Tidal range and flow
1.2 m. to 2.1 m.
Port Description :-
The port is located on the northern part of Suez Gulf on the southern gate of Suez Canal. it is bordered by an imaginery line extending from Ras Masala to Ras El-Sadat . It includes the northern coast until Suez Canal entrance.
Geographical Overview
Port Borders
From Ras Massala to Ras El Sadat.
Ibrahim Dock
Bordered by an imaginary line extending between the two breakwaters.
Petroleum Dock
Bordered by an imaginary line extending 140 degrees from the extremity of the eastern breakwater until the western breakwater.
Ataka Port
TThe boundaries of Ataka Port are delimited by the port breakwaters. The water out of the boundaries of Ibrahim Dock, Petroleum Dock, Ataka Port, Adabiya Port and New Petroleum Bert is within the Suez Canal values.
Geographical Overview
Port Borders
From Ras Massala to Ras El Sadat.
Ibrahim Dock
Bordered by an imaginary line extending between the two breakwaters.
Petroleum Dock
Bordered by an imaginary line extending 140 degrees from the extremity of the eastern breakwater until the western breakwater.
Ataka Port
TThe boundaries of Ataka Port are delimited by the port breakwaters. The water out of the boundaries of Ibrahim Dock, Petroleum Dock, Ataka Port, Adabiya Port and New Petroleum Bert is within the Suez Canal values.
Port Berths :-
Total quay notes according to their types
Berth Type
Nu
Length (m.)
Depth (m.)
From
From
To
Passenger
5
750
8.00
8.00
Passenger / cargo
7
1320
7.50
7.50
Total
12
2070
Suez Ports :-
Historical Outline
It is historically recorded that Egypt was the first country to dig a man-made canal across its lands to connect the Mediterranean sea to the Red sea via the River Nile and its branches, and the first who dug it was Senausert III, Pharaoh of Egypt (1874 B.C.) . This canal was abandoned to silting and reopened several times as follows:
The canal of Sity I
1310 B.C.
The canal of Nkhaw
61 B.C.
The canal of Darius I
510 B.C.
The canal of Ptolemy II
285 B.C.
The canal of the Romans (Emperor Trajan)
117 B.C.
The canal of Amir El Moemeneen
640 A.D.
- The Suez canal is actually the first canal directly linking the Mediterranean sea to the Red sea. It was opened for international navigation on 17 November 1869.
- Egypt nationalized its canal on 26 July 1956
- The canal was closed five times, the last time was for 8 years (1967-1975) and was reopened in 1975
Development of Suez Canal
ITEM
UNIT
1869
1956
1962
1980
1994
1996
2001
2008
Percentage increase (1869-2001)
WIDTH AT 11M DEPTH
M
44
60
90
160
210
210
210
210
477%
MAX DRAFT OF SHIPS
FEET
22
35
38
53
56
58
62
68
282%
OVERALL LENGTH
KM
164
175
175
190.25
190.25
190.25
190.25
190.25
116%
DOUBLED PARTS
KM
-
29
29
78
78
78
78
78
269%
WATER DEPTH
M
10
14
15.5
19.5
20.5
21
22.5
23.5
225%
CROSS SECTIONAL AREA
M2
304
1100
1800
3600
4300
4500
4800
4800
1579%
MAX. TONNAGE (DWT)
TON
5000
30,000
80,000
150,000
180,000
185,000
210,000
210,000
4200%
Characteristics of the current canal
Overall length
193 km
From the fairway buoy to Port Said lighthouse
22.5 km
From the waiting area to the southern entrance
15 km
From Port Said to Ismailia
78.5 km
From Ismailia to Port Tawfik
83.65 km
The length of doubled parts
68 km
Width at water level
300/365 m
Width between buoys
180/205 m
Maximum permissible draught for ships
68 ft.
The canal depth
21 m
Maximum permissible air draft
68 km
Cross sectional area
4500/4800 m2
Advantages of the Suez Canal
- Longest canal in the world with no locks
- Compared with other waterways, the percentage of accidents is almost nil.
- Navigation goes day and night
- Liable to be widened and deepened when required to cope with the expansion in ship sizes.
Trade route saving
The geographical position of the Suez Canal makes it the shortest route between East and West as compared to the “Cape of Good Hope”. The Canal route achieves a saving in distance between the ports north and south the Canal, the matter that is translated into other savings in time, fuel consumption and ship operating costs as shown in the table below:
Saving In Distance (Suez Canal & Cape)
From
To
Distance (N. Miles)
S. C.
S. C.
CAPE
Saving%
Ras Tanura
Constantza
Lavera
Rotterdam
New York
Lavera
Rotterdam
New York
4,144
4,684
6,436
8,281
4,684
6,436
8,281
12,094
10,783
11,169
11,794
10,783
11,169
11,794
66
57
42
30
57
42
30
Jeddah
Piraeus
1,320
11,207
88
Jeddah
Liverpool
3,902
10,702
63.5
Bombay
Rotterdam
6,337
10,743
41
Bombay
Marseille
4,558
10,362
56
Shanghahai
Genoa
8,670
13,619
36.3
Useful transit information
- Master to try his best to adjust the non used double bottom tanks to read 6 inches or less in order to be considered as an empty tanks which will be exempted from Suez Canal Net Tonnage.
- Water Ballast tanks will be exempted from Suez Canal Net Tonnage.
Ship’s speed is less than the speed of:
The group but not more than
Additional tolls
1 km/hour
10% of the transit tolls
2 km/hour
20% of the transit tolls
3 km/hour
30% of the transit tolls
4 km/hour
40% of the transit tolls
5 km/hour
80% of the transit tolls
6 km/hour or more
160% of the transit tolls
- Vessel transiting the Canal should be equipped with open mooring boats or lifting appliances of minimum 2 tons lifting capacity otherwise, the Suez Canal authority will apply imposed tug of SDR 17,000 (about USD27,000).
- Imposed tug of SDR 17,000 (about USD 27,000) might be applied in case of vessel's age over 25 years subject to SC pilot trial and previous transit record of the vessel.
Convoy System
A - Northbound Convoy:
(1) Starts at 0600 at Km. 160 and consists of two groups of vessels.
Group A:
I - Navy ships, 4th Generation Containerships, 3rd Generation Containerships over 40.000 SC.G.T. & similar, LASH over 35.000 SC.G.T. LPG and LNG (Loaded or N.G.F) and loaded chemicals carriers Ii - Loaded VLCC'S, conventional loaded Tankers and Bulk carriers (Draught over 38 feet or length over 950 feet B.P.)
Group B:
Cargo and other vessels anchored in Suez Anchorage's.
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.
(2) The North bound 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.
(3) 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.
NOTE: L.P.G., L.N.G. in ballast or loaded, and chemicals loaded in bulk For safety measures, they areincluded in the Tankers Group.
B - Southbound First Convoy (N1)
(1) Starts from 0000 hrs to 0500 hrs and consists of 3 groups of vessels
Group A : Vessels in Port Said Harbor.
Group B : Vessels anchored in the Northern Anchorage Area consisting of 4th Generation Containerships, 3rd Generation Containerships, VLCC's in ballast over 42 feet draught, LPG, LNG, N.G.F(LPG, LNG, N.G.F. vessels may join group A.) . vessels in ballast or loaded and LASH over 35.000 SC. G.T. This group will be headed by the Containerships and the first vessel will enter through Port Said East Approach channel in due time to join Group A at Km. 17. Group C : Vessels anchored in Southern Anchorage Area will enter through Port Said West channel in due time to join Group B at Km. 17.
(2) This convoy has a free run to the Bitter Lakes, passes through the East branch of Ballah by-pass, the East channel of Lake Timsah, the Deversoir West channel and anchors in the Western Anchorage's in Bitter Lakes.
(3) The sequence of continue route from the Bitter Lakes will be Warships, LPG, LNG vessels, the 4th Generation Containerships, 3rd Generation Containerships over 40.000 SC.G. And LASH over 35.000 SC. G.T. followed by VLCC's in ballast and then other vessels. The first ship of the southbound convoy will regulate speed to cross the last northbound vessel abeam of Kabrit station.
C - Southbound Second Convoy (N2):
(1) Starts from 0630 hrs to 0900 hrs. The forming and depth of this convoy is subject to situation of traffic and limit time. A third group may enter Canal from 0300 to 0430 hours according to traffic situation.
(2) 3rd & 4th Generation Container ships with more than one propeller astern shall be ahead of this convoy to anchor at Temsah Lake (maximum two vessels).
(3) Vessels will make fast in Ballah West Branch (Maximum capacity 15 vessels according to the NR. of berths at Ballah Loop.), and continue route after the last Northbound vessel clears Km. 61.
(4) Dimensions of vessels that can make fast at Ballah West Branch should not exceed those indicated in the following table, excluding Tankers over 90000 Tons SC.G.T.
(5) Vessels not allowed to join this convoy are the following: Loaded Tankers (or Bulk carriers) carrying Petroleum Grade A or similar substances (Flash point below 23ºC or 73ºF, ascertained by an open test or any equal degree of accuracy).
Liquefied inflammable gas vessels (LPG, LNG, or similar Loaded or Ballast N.G.F. vessels). Vessels not fitted with double bottom carrying chemicals in bulk. Vessels carrying radioactive substance Group 1. Vessels carrying dangerous wastes. Heavy lifters (semi-submersible) carrying heavy lift units with tonnage exceeding the lifting capacity of their individual cranes. Vessels carrying deck cargo protruding more than what is stated in Art. 26 of these Rules.
Suez Canal Authority decided the limit time for arrival to join the convoys will be on the basis of passing the following latitudes:
At Port Said: (South of Lat. 31' 28.7" N)
At Suez:
A-Tankers group (North of Lat. 29' 42.8" N)
B- Other vessels: (North of Lat. 29' 48.33 N)
Following vessels which intend to join the south bound convoy are not allowed for shifting in Port Said inner harbor: LPG, LNG, laden or ballast N.G.F., and vessels with S.C.GRT over 40,000 or with arrival draft of 38 and over.
Pre-arrival information
Note that either north or south bound, masters to ensure sending regular arrival notices 5,3,2 days and 24 hours before arrival to S.C.A. and to our office (Rafimar)
The necessary information for your transit:
Upon arrival of indicated positions call Port Said pilot station/boat by VHF Ch. 12/16 to report your arrival and anchor time.- Vessel name, Ex name and nationality/call sign/type.
- Date of last transit and if there is any changes done to vessel's particulars.
- Int'l GRT/NRT/S.C.NRT
- Max. arrival draft /LOA/breadth.
- Next-last call/ETA
- Vessel status (Laden/Ballast) and cargo on board
- If carrying dangerous cargo on board, state quantity, class and UN number
- If carrying cement cargo, state the quantity.
Try your best to fill the declaration of double bottom tanks which will be provided by S.C. representatives specially the non used tanks.
Documents Needed for 1st transit
A- Documents to be produced are:
1) Suez Canal Special Tonnage Certificate and Calculation Sheets (3 copies in the first transit).
2) Certificate of Registry & ship's drawing.
3) Statistical Declaration.
4) Extract from the vessel's official documents and information concerning the vessel's type and her cargo (Containers, barges, etc ...).
5) Declaration concerning the use of double bottom tanks and the lower parts of the high tanks.
6) Declaration concerning vessels in ballast.
7) Declaration of State of Navigability.
8) The last Classification Certificate issued.
9) Any other information necessary for transiting the Canal.
10) Piping plan and general arrangement plan for LPG and LNG vessels.
11) I.O.P.P International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate of Compliance and its supplement for the record of construction and equipment as amended for tanker vessels.
12) I.S.P.C Certificate.
B - Vessel wishing to transit the Canal must declare at the CA Offices and pay the various dues mentioned in Part IV Chap. XIII of the present Rules. She must furnish the CA Officials wit.1-i all the particulars requested by her agent's.
C - The vessel must in addition comply with the requirements of the A.R.E. Government Authorities.
D - In case the CA deems it necessary to be supplied with a new Seaworthiness Certificate issued by a recognized classification society belonging to I.A.C.S.
Seaworthiness Certificates to be accepted by SCA, if in native language, are to be translated into Arabic or English and duly certified by the Embassy or Consulate in the ARE.
E - Navy ships transiting the SC Waters must be provided with a Suez Canal Special Tonnage Certificate showing the SC.G. and N.T. If such document is not on board, the Commanding Officer has to give, in writing, the following information:
Name of Ship.
Name of Commanding Officer.
Call sign of the ship (Radio Call).
L. 0. A., B.O.A. and depth of the ship.
(As long as the ship is not provided with the SC Special Tonnage Certificate, transit dues will be levied on the temporary Gross Tonnage product of the empirical formula without any allowance till the presentation of the documents required).
Mooring Boats:
- Vessels transiting the Canal must have mooring boats as mentioned hereafter hired from the Suez Canal Mooring Company approved by SCA.
- In case no mooring (Open type lifeboat )boats from the said company are available, ship's boats if suitable for mooring in the Canal can be used and must be manned by shore crew, hired from the SC mooring company, each boat is to be manned by three men.
- One mooring boat or one motor boat for vessels under 2500 tons gross, SC.G.T.
- One motor boat for vessels from 2500 to 5000 tons gross, SC.G.T.
- Two motor boats or one motor boat and one mooring boat for vessels from 5000 SC.G.T. to 30000 SC.G.T.
- Two motor boats for vessels over 30000 tons gross, SC.G.T.
- Ships may ask for additional motor boats or mooring boats according to Master's request. These mooring boats must be in constant readiness for lowering to run the ropes to the mooring posts without any delay during the transit of the vessel.
- Ships must be fitted with well maintained lifting appliances capable of lifting mooring boats of 4 tons weight (Including crew members).
- Ships may carry extra mooring boats as passengers for the interest of navigation. However, LPG LNG, and Loaded Tankers are not allowed any extra boats.
- The handling of mooring boats must be carried out well clear from the ship's propellers.
- Masters are requested to reduce speed during lifting or lowering operations of mooring boats, an officer must be in charge, to avoid accidents that may endanger the life of mooring men.
- If the vessel has no means for lifting mooring boats and ship's boats are not suitable for mooring in the Canal, the vessel shall not be allowed to transit the Canal.
