Suez Canal convoy regime favours big ships

The revised rules for southbound transits implemented by the Suez Canal Authority at the beginning of this month (February), is benefitting large container vessels on passage back to the Far East from Europe, saving up to half a day sailing in certain circumstances.

Under the new regime, container vessels over 95,000 ‘Special Suez Canal tonnage’ (SCGT), are now able to join the second daily southbound convoy, for a fee.  The change follows dredging work in the Ballah waiting bypass to accommodate neo-panamax 13,000 teu containerships up to 370 m long and a maximum beam of 50 m, with a draught of up to 14.63 m.

Depending on the size, draught and the time of arrival at the Suez Canal anchorage, a surcharge of between 8% and 12% will be levied on top of the regular canal fee.