Egypt Considering Expansion of Suez Canal

The head of the Suez Canal Authority, Ossama Rabiee, has revealed that Egypt is considering undertaking a further expansion of one of the world’s most important strategic waterways. 

The project - which remains in the ‘studying phase’ (which includes the feasibility study, environmental study, the engineering and civil works studies, and soil and dredging research) - would see the full duplication of the Canal’s navigable waterway. 

If pursued, the project would ‘achieve full duplication in both directions which allows for raising the Canal’s ranking and increasing its competitiveness along with increasing its numerical and accommodation capacity so it is able to accommodate the various classes and sizes of vessels in the world fleet’, according to a statement from the Authority. 

The announcement comes at a time when the Suez Canal is experiencing a drop in revenue as shippers take alternative routes to avoid the Houthi-derived attacks in the Red Sea. It also coincides with a period of reduced transits through the Panama Canal due to an ongoing drought.

That the project aims to increase the Canal’s accommodation capacity by six vessels and raise the margin of navigational safety by 28% is no surprise following the events of March 2021 when the container vessel Ever Given ran aground, stopping traffic for six days. 

Since then, the Suez Canal Authority has been undertaking expansion efforts. As Rabiee pointed out in a statement:

‘The SCA has completed the first phase of the southern sector development project; i.e. widening the Canal by 40 m. eastward from km 132 to km 162 (Canal marking) and work is underway to complete the second phase that comprises a 10-km duplication of the Canal in the Small Bitter Lake from km 122 to km 132 (Canal marking) where around 46.5 million m³ of water-saturated sand has been removed at a completion rate of 75%’.

The Suez Canal Authority has also been at pains to point out that any potential expansion would be funded from the authority’s investment budget rather than requiring state funding.

Speed and consumption disputes

The global shipping industry is more competitive than ever; which is a key driver of speed and consumption disputes. 

If you find yourself embroiled in a speed and consumption dispute, then Brookes Bell’s Master Mariners can help you find the answers you need. 

Our team is adept at carrying out root and branch analyses, forensically examining evidence to assess which factor, in relation to the governing charterparty, is most significant. 

Explore Brookes Bell’s speed and consumption dispute services now

For more maritime industry insights, news and information, read the Brookes Bell News and Knowledge Hub…

Berth Waiting Forecast Launched to Predict Port Congestion | Euronav Draws Up Plans for 120 Low-Carbon Ships | Port of Salalah Receives First Cranes in $300m Expansion Project