Ship in the Suez Canal. Ahram Gate.
Effective 1 May, mooring services in the Suez Canal will primarily be shore-based, with mooring boats strategically positioned along the canal.
However, 30 percent of ships transiting the canal will still be required to have onboard mooring services, including vessels with significant windage area, gross tonnage, or draft, as well as those with inter-ship distances not exceeding two ships, and other vessels meeting the specified criteria determined by the SCA.
If any of these selected vessels refuse or are unable to accommodate the mooring service on their deck, an additional charge of $5,000 will be applied instead of supplying a tugboat, according to the circular.
Shore-based mooring exceptions
Exceptions for shore-based mooring services will be granted to certain types of vessels, including US and other warships, as well as towed units, excavators, rigs, integrated units, and other specialized units.
US warships, as per the agreement signed with the SCA, will be accompanied by mandatory tugboats for mooring services.
Similarly, other warships that decline or cannot provide onboard mooring services will also be escorted by mandatory tugboats.
Mooring, lighting services cost
According to the circular, a fixed total fee of $3,500 will be charged for mooring and lighting services in the new system, applicable to all ships, whether they enjoy onboard or shore-based service.
An annual financial assessment may be conducted for potential amendments.
If a ship requires lighting service or if the searchlight does not meet the Suez Canal Rules of Navigation, an additional charge of $1,000 will be added.
Moreover, if the electric connections do not meet these rules, the vessel will incur additional fees of $5,000 starting from the second transit, as stated in the SC Rules of Navigation from the December 2020 edition.
The Suez Canal, which moves 12 percent of all world trade and connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, is one of the main sources of foreign currency to Egypt.
The canal brought in $8.8 billion on 26,000 vessels during FY2022/2023 but has been suffering a 40-50 percent drop in revenues in recent months amid disruptions in navigation in the Red Sea.
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