Convoy Guidelines Three convoys transit the Canal daily, one southbound and one north bound.
-Northbound Convoy “Port Suez” Vessels complete transit of the Canal in approximately 10 hours in the Northbound convoy. Two hours before arrival at the Suez pilot station, vessels should contact the harbor office by VHF channel 14 in order to provide details of transit. A pilot boat can be contacted via VHF channel 14 Northbound convoy commences at 0500 HRS LT at KM 160 and consists of one groups of vessels: ( the enter time presently not certain due to a dredging in new suez canal channel ).
Arrival Limit: 0200 HRS on passing north of latitude 29 42.8 N. Late
Arrival facilities: -3% additional Canal tolls from 0200 Hrs Lt - 0300 Hrs Lt
-5% additional Canal tolls from 0300 Hrs Lt - 0400 Hrs Lt
In case vessels arrive after 0400 Hrs Lt, they may still join the northbound convoy on the same day at 0500 HRS against 10 percent additional Canal tolls, provided that circumstances are favorable and authorized by the SC authority.
-South Bound Convoy “Port Said” Vessels complete transit of the Canal in approximately 12 to 14 hours in the southbound convoy. Fifteen miles before arrival at the fairway buoy, vessels should contact the harbour office via VHF channel 12 or 16 in order to provide full details of transit.
1st SB Convoy Commences: 0100 Hrs Lt.
Arrival limit: 1900 HRS South of latitude 31 28,7 N Late
Arrival facilities: 3% additional Canal tolls from 1900 Hrs Lt - 2100 Hrs Lt
-5% additional Canal tolls from 2100 Hrs Lt - 2200 Hrs Lt
In case vessels arrive 2200 Hrs Lt, they may still join 1st SB convoy 0100 HRS against 10 percent additional Canal tolls, provided that circumstances are favorable and authorized by the SC authority. ( the enter time presently not certain due to a dredging in new suez canal channel )
container’s tiers :- In Suez canal container form should put every containers on deck.. full / empty , 20' or 40 ' for Suez canal inspection check and calculate accdg this form as follows :
1 - IF STOWAGE MORE THAN 10 PCS CONTAINERS .( 10 X 20 ") OR (5 X 40 ") OR MIX ON LAST TIER CONSIDER ONE TIER . , AND IF LESS 11 PCS CONTAINERS. NOT CALCULATE AS A TIER
2- THE ADD S.C TOOLS DUES AS FOLLOWS : If vsl come from SCSB convoy :
A - ONLY ONE TIER ON DECK WILL ADD 2% OF S.C DUES
B - FROM ONE TO 2 TIERS WILL ADD 4% OF S.C DUES
C - FROM ONE TO 3 TIERS WILL ADD 6 % OF S.C DUES
D - FROM ONE TO 4 TIERS WILL ADD 8 % OF S.C DUES
E - FROM ONE TO 5 TIERS WILL ADD 12 % OF S.C DUES
F - FROM ONE TO 6 TIERS WILL ADD 16 % OF S.C DUES
G – FROM ONE TO 7 TIERS WILL ADD 18% OF SC DUES
H- EVERY ONE TIER MORE WILL ADD 2% OF S.C DUES
If vsl come from SCNB convoy :
A - ONLY ONE TIER ON DECK WILL ADD 4% OF S.C DUES
B - FROM ONE TO 2 TIERS WILL ADD 6% OF S.C DUES
C - FROM ONE TO 3 TIERS WILL ADD 8% OF S.C DUES
D - FROM ONE TO 4 TIERS WILL ADD 11 % OF S.C DUES
E - FROM ONE TO 5 TIERS WILL ADD 15 % OF S.C DUES
F - FROM ONE TO 6 TIERS WILL ADD 21 % OF S.C DUES
G – FROM ONE TO 7 TIERS WILL ADD 23% OF SC DUES
H- EVERY ONE TIER MORE WILL ADD 2% OF S.C DUES
- IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE CAREFUL WHEN FILL THE SUEZ CANAL CONTAINER FORM AND B.PLAN , FOR MENTION EVERY CONTAINERS ON DECK
- If vsl cargo are military equipments or any kind of military cargo the suez canal automatically add 25% suez canal add dues . and master should declare before arv suez canal . - Master should declare before vsl arv suez canal for any un containeriesed cargo & rejected cargo & any floating unit on deck . - if vsl carry only empty container’s and there are no any load container’s on deck the suez canal authority calculate vsl as ballast conditions . master of container’s vsl & charter or owner or operator should arrange the follows doc’s before vsl arv for suez canal . a – copy of charter party b – copy of all container’s serial no. c – declarations letters from master declare that all container’s on board are empty and there are no any load container’s on deck , and all empty container’s own / operate by m/s (charter / owner / operator name ) .
Art. 58 – Escorting Tugs :
The escort of VLCC’s, ULCC’s, L.P.G, L.N.G, Large Bulk Carriers and other vessels, except Container Ships will be as follows :
1. Loaded vessels less than 70000 SC.N.T.(2) will be escorted by one tug if for technical reasons SCA finds it necessary, or when the vessels draught is more than 47 feet.
2. Loaded vessels from 70000 SC.N.T. to 90000 SC.N.T. will be escorted by one tug.
3. Loaded vessels over 90000 SC.N.T. will be escorted by two tugs.
4. Vessels in ballast over 130000 SC.N.T. will be escorted by one tug.
5. L.P.G., and L.N.G. over 40000 and up to 90000 SC.N.T. ( except G.F. ), or loaded with Ammonia cargo(3),(4) will be escorted by one tug, and those over 90000 SC.N.T. will be escorted by two tugs.
6. Vessels in ballast with beam over 218 feet up to 233 feet will be escorted by one tug.
7. Vessels in ballast with beam over 233 feet will be escorted by two tugs.
8. Towed Scrapped vessels will be escorted by one tug.
9. Loaded Semi-submersible ships carrying drillers or floating units ( 300 SC.G.T. and over ) will be escorted by one tug or more tugs as decided by SC port office after survey on arrival.
10. Integrated Units to be escorted by one tug during first transit. ( see Appendix No1 special cases item “E” P. 92 )
Art. 57 – Cases of Imposed Tugs :(1) - Chargeable tugs shall be imposed during Canal transit in the following cases :
1. The CA may require any vessel to take one tug or more tugs during Canal tranist, whenever, in SCA judgement, this action is necessary to ensure safety of the vessel or to the Canal.
2. Vessels without mechanical power, or vessels whose the machinery of which is/or becomes disabled, or whose have bed steering badly, or which is liable to become unmanageable for any reason, shall be towed through the Canal.
3. Vessels having engine or steering gear trouble for the second time during the same passage.
4. Vessel with bad view owing to deck cargo, containers, cranes or constructions that impeded the view from the wheelhouse and wings. ( SC port office officials may decide after survey for the safety of the ship and the canal that the ship has to be towed. ).
5.
-1. Vessels of 1500 SC.G.T. and over unable to use one of their bow anchors.
-2. Vessels of 1500 SC.G.T. and over built with one anchor.
-3. Vessels of 1500 SC.G.T. and over built with more than one anchor with only one of them on the bow.
-4. Special Cases to be studied.
6. Drilling vessels. ( see special cases item A, page 90 )
7. Vessls with two engines on one propeller of which one is out of order for any reason and can not maintain speed of at least 10 knots without current ( after sea trial to make sure of the speed and valid sea worthiness certificate ).
8. Vessels with two engines on two propellers of which one is out of order.
9. On Master’s request for one tug or more.
10. Submarines to be escorted by one or two imposed tugs according to CA. survey. ( depending on submarine condition, anchors, mooring facilities, power drive, . . . etc. ).
11. Air craft carriers to be escorted by two imposed tugs.
12.
-1. General Cargo vessels carrying explosive of type class 1, ( explosive div.1.1, div. 1.2, div. and 1.3 according to IMDG code ) in less than 50% of the loaded cargo, an imposed tug is to be added during transit, for security.
-2. But if the explosive cargoes are 50% or more of the loaded cargo, two imposed tugs are to be added during transit, for security(1) .
Reference to Art. 57 and Art. 58 :
1. Any vessel escorted by one tug and the situation requires another imposed tug, So both tugs are considered imposed.
2. Any vessel escorted by two tugs and the situation requires a third imposed tug, one of the two escorting tugs will be for escort and the second and the third tugs are considered, imposed tugs.
arrival details & doc’s requirements :- every vsl before arrive suez canal area should send pre arrival details to our communications as follows :
- 1. VESSEL'S NAME: (EX -) CALL SIGN / FLAG: / TYPE OF VSL
2. S.C.I.D. NO.: S.C.CERT. NO.:
3. SUEZ CANAL GRT/NRT
4. INTERNATIONAL GRT/NRT AND DWT
5. OWNER'S NAME, CHATTERER’S NAME, OPERATOR'S NAME:
6. LOA/ BEAM
7. ETA PORT SAID
8. DATE OF LAST TRANSIT SUEZ CANAL
9. TTL CARGO / NATURE: ( how many tier’s for container vsl & imo cargo)
10. TTL DANGEROUS CARGO ONBOARD.(IF ANY)
11. TTL CREW INCLUDING MASTER: / TTL PASSENGER(IF ANY)
12. ARRIVAL DRAFT FWD/AFT 13. LAST/NEXT PORT OF CALL
14. VESSEL HAS SEARCHLIGHT(PROJECTOR)ONBOARD(OR NOT)
15. SHIP'S CRANE : ( X SWL MT). 16- SHIP'S REQ
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY PORT AUTHORITY AS FOLLOWING :
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- REGISTRY CERTIFICATE + 2 COPIES
- COPY OF INTERNATIONAL TONNAGE CERTIFICATE 1969
- CONTAINER FORM & B. PLAN 3 COPY ( for contain’s vsl )
- DOUBLE BOTTOM TANK FORM
- 8 COPIES OF CREW LIST
- NIL LIST
- HEALTH DECLARATION AND VACCINATION LIST FOR THE CREWMEMBERS
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SUEZ CANAL AUTHORITY IF VSL FIRST TRANSIT THE CANAL :
1- g.arrangment plan original
2- capacity plan original
3- engine room plan original
4 - and copy of suez canal tonnage certificate . and those doc's will handle to us after finish measurements by s.c authority within 3 weak .
-SUEZ CANAL HAS SECURITY LEVEL 1(ONE).