SUEZ CANAL

• EGSUZ
• Latitude: 30.4947
• Longitude: 32.3447
• East Mediterranean
• Canal in Egypt

Location: Egypt

Suez Canal Port Description and Specifications

Location:
The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, running north to south across the Isthmus of Suez. It connects the Mediterranean Sea at Port Said to the Red Sea at Suez, allowing for direct maritime passage between Europe and Asia without the need to circumnavigate Africa.

Coordinates:

• Northern Entrance: Port Said (31.25°N, 32.29°E)
• Southern Entrance: Port of Suez (29.97°N, 32.55°E)

Characteristics:

• Total Length: Approximately 193 kilometers (120 miles)
• Width: Varies, generally between 205 meters (674 feet) and 225 meters (738 feet) at the surface
• Depth: Typically 24 meters (79 feet) to accommodate large vessels

Key Features:

1. Lake Timsah and Great Bitter Lake: Natural widening areas used for ship convoys.
2. Navigation: Single-lane passage with passing and dual-lane sections. The canal operates a convoy system to maximize efficiency and manage traffic.
3. Tolls: The canal charges tolls based on the size and type of the vessel, which are a significant source of revenue for Egypt.

Facilities:

• Port Said Port: Northern gateway, equipped for handling various cargo types and featuring modern container terminals, storage facilities, and logistics services.
• Port of Suez: Southern gateway, also with container terminals, general cargo services, and facilities for bulk carriers and tankers.
• Pilot Services: Mandatory for vessels transiting the canal.
• Tug Services: Available for assistance in navigating the canal's more challenging sections.

Transit Times:

• Single Transit: Roughly between 11-16 hours, depending on convoy scheduling and vessel size.
• Convoys: Northbound and southbound convoys are scheduled to maximize canal usage.

Limitations:

• Beam Limit: Generally around 77.5 meters (254 feet).
• Air Draft: No significant air draft restrictions due to lack of fixed bridges across the canal.

Navigational Aids:

• The canal is well-marked with buoys, lighthouses, and other navigational aids to ensure safe passage.

Economic Importance:

The Suez Canal is a crucial maritime route, handling roughly 10% of global trade along with significant oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. It significantly reduces travel time for ships between Europe and Asia, making it one of the world's most critical waterways.

Ongoing Developments:

Continuous improvements and expansions are undertaken to increase capacity, including dredging to deepen and widen the canal and the addition of bypasses and dual-lane sections to improve traffic flow and reduce waiting times.