SCA annouce changes to the northbound convoy starting 15th May 2014

SCA merges the two northbound groups into one group.

With effect as from tomorrow SCA have just released following circular no 5/2014:

--qte--
Circular No 5/2014
Concerning the modification of the limit time for the Northbound convoy

In order to minimize the time of transit and reduce waiting hours at Bitter Lakes, SCA has decided the following:

Article One:
Para B of Article 50 of SC rules of Navigation edition Dec. 2007 shall be modified to read as follows:
The limit time for all vessels joining the northbound convoy is hr 0200 north of lat 29 42.8 N and is limited by long 32 23'1 E & 32 41'5 E.

a) Ships arriving after hr 0200 until hr 0300 can also join the northbound convoy against the payment of a surcharge equal to 3% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 7000 SDR

b) Ships arriving after hr 0300 until hr 0400 can also join the northbound convoy against the payment of a surcharge equal to 5% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 10500 SDR

c) Ships arriving after hr 0400 may join the northbound convoy against the payment of a surcharge equal to 10% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 20000 SDR

Article Two:
Paragraph C of Article 50 of SC Rules of Navigation edition Dec. 2007 shall be cancelled.

Article Three:
This circular takes effect as of 15th May 2014

Director of Transit Department
Board Member

Eng./ Mohamed Mahmoud Beshir
--unqte--

Our comments:
Generally speaking we believe that the change only will have a small impact for the users of the canal. The idea of the change is to reduce the anchoring time at Great Bitter Lake and El Ballah for the southbound vessels as the northbound convoy will pass these positions canal earlier than before.

We expect the northbound convoy to commence at 0500hrs on a daily basis and continue up around 1000hrs subject to the number of vessels.

All vessels under our agency have been notified accordingly.