SCA Circular 4/2001

Facilities and privileges granted to some types of ships that transit the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal Authority shall grant certain facilities and privileges to some types of vessels that transit the Suez Canal as shown below:

First:
Passenger ships, cruise ships and yachts of not less than 300 Suez Canal gross tons shall be given the following rebates:

- 50% reduction on normal transit dues for each leg of the round trip for ships that call on either Egyptian or foreign Mediterranean or Red Sea ports provided that the ship's duration of stay at the Egyptian ports is not less than 72 hours. However, in case the duration of stay at Egyptian ports is less than 72 hours but within the minimum of 36 hours, the reduction shall be calculation in the following manner:

- Not less than half the ship's duration of stay at Egyptian ports should be spent at Red Sea ports.

- For the rebate on the return trip to be granted, the return trip should be made within a maximum of one month from the date of transit. In all cases, the transit dues shall be collected in full upon transit from either north or south entrance. The rebate amounts shall be refunded whenever the following documents are duly submitted:

a) Detailed itinerary of the ship duly signed by the Ministry of Tourism.

b) An authenticated certificate from each Egyptian port of call showing dateand time of arrival and departure of the subject ship and stating that theship was solely involved in tourist activities and that no goods loading orunloading operations, as far as this ship is concerned, were handled at such port.

To this end, the given below circulars shall be deemed null and void:-

2/93 dated April 14, 1993,
5/94 dated May 13, 1994 and
7/94 dated Sept. 8, 1994.

Second:
Ships that carry floating units on deck other than (semi submersible or heavy lift) shall pay an extra charge of 100% of the normal transit dues for the floating units calculated on the basis of the floating units' Suez Canal gross tonnage. Vessels that are subject to the dues levied on general cargo ships shall be exempted from the said extra charges.

Third:
To this end, the given below circulars shall be deemed null and void:-

10/95 dated Jan. 1, 1996,
11/95 dated Jan. 1, 1996 and
19/95 dated Jan. 1, 1996.

However, what has been stated under item "Second" herein shall be applicable
on vessels subject of the said circulars in case they carry any floating
units.

Fourth:
Containerships are to be exempted from the escorting tugboat mentioned in circular No. 8/96.

This circular takes effect as of Jan. 1, 2002.