by Mattia Micheli, SeaNewsEditor

The Suez Canal is 193.5 kilometres long and 300 to 350 meters wide. Unlike the Panama and Kiel Canals, it has no locks. It is one of the most well-known waterways globally.

Since its construction, the Canal has played a vital role in both Middle Eastern and global trade. Goods have sailed through this narrow strip of water in the middle of the desert, bordered by the Sinai Peninsula on the east and north-eastern Africa on the west. 

However, crossing and navigating the Canal is complicated due to a unique convoy system. Vessels use the waterway to travel from Suez to Port Said (from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea) and from Port Said to Suez (from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea).

Typically, there are three daily convoys: two southbound and one northbound. Vessels are grouped into these convoys based on their arrival time and must wait at designated anchorages until their convoy is scheduled to depart.

To manage the flow of maritime traffic, the vessels travelling from Suez to Port Said stop at the Great Bitter Lakes in the desert, allowing the passage of the convoy heading in the opposite direction to pass.

Route Suez ↔ Port Said (northbound)

One week before entering the Canal, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) receives all the necessary vessel information, including the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), details of the ship owner, the technical data and information related to the goods transported, the arrival and departure ports and the date of the last transit if applicable.

The ETA must be confirmed five days before the arrival in Suez. At the main entrance of the Suez, the ship’s commander must submit the official documents to the Authority.

The vessels form a convoy divided into two groups:

• Group A: the largest vessels, travelling at a speed of 7.65 knots

• Group B: the other vessels, travelling at a speed of 7.02 knots

A Suez Canal pilot boards the vessel in Suez and is substituted by another colleague in Ismailia.

The vessel proceeds through the Canal to Port Said without stopping, except for cases where an emergency stop is necessary in the “Great Bitter Lake.”

The ship exits from the Western Branch of the Canal, and the pilot who boarded in Ismailia disembarks.

Route Port Said ↔ Suez (southbound)

The arrival procedures are similar to those used for crossing the Canal from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

The vessels wishing to be admitted need to arrive in Port Said before 18:00 hours. The Canal’s pilot embarks the vessel in Port Said and is ever changed in Ismailia. Here, there is also a division into two groups:

• Group A: ships anchored from the km 4 to the km 14 of the Canal

• Group B: ships anchored in the area in front of the Canal

Group-A vessels are the first to begin the transit. Departures run from 23:30 to 05:00 every day.

The crossing begins when the Suez-Port Said convoy's last vessels, travelling in the opposite direction, enter the Canal's West Branch. After Group A, the Group B vessels follow when the passage is available (the West Branch must be completely free).

Due to the timing (the convoy from Suez to Port Said, remember, sails from 05:30 to 11:00 every day), they meet the vessels travelling in the opposite direction that have the right way. For this reason, vessels from Port Said to Suez must have a stop in the Great Bitter Lake.

The actual transit through the canal takes 12 to 16 hours, depending on the vessel’s speed and traffic conditions. To avoid any navigational incidents, the vessels must maintain a steady speed throughout the journey and follow the canal pilot’s instructions.

Quite narrow, not deep, and the weather has to play along

The Suez Canal is relatively narrow, ranging from 205 to 225 meters. This limited space requires precise navigation, particularly for larger container ships and oil tankers. At the same time, the canal's depth poses a challenge, although it has been deepened over the years. The maximum draft is 20.1 meters.

This means any deviation from the designated channel can lead to grounding or collisions, and vessels must carefully manage their ballast to avoid exceeding this limit. Overloaded vessels also risk running aground.

Additionally, strong winds and sandstorms can impact navigation in the Suez Canal. Reduced visibility, high winds, and shifting sands can make it challenging for vessels to maintain their course and follow pilot instructions. Captains must be prepared to adjust their plans based on weather forecasts and advisories.

Another risk is engine or steering malfunctions in the narrow canal.

A combination of these three challenges probably caused the grounding of the Ever Given on March 23, 2021.

The Suez Canal remains a vital conduit for global trade, offering a shorter and more efficient route between Europe and Asia. However, navigating this critical waterway requires careful planning, skilled navigation, and an understanding of its unique challenges.

By following the established procedures and maintaining a high level of vigilance, ships can transit the Suez Canal safely and efficiently, contributing to the smooth flow of international trade.