The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) will increase transit surcharges for most vessel categories from July 15, raising costs for tankers, containerships, bulk carriers and vehicle carriers using the waterway.
The increases were announced in a series of navigation circulars issued by the authority. Under the revised surcharge structure, laden crude oil and petroleum product tankers will face a 37% surcharge on top of base canal dues, while dry bulk carriers will pay 22% and containerships 12%. LNG carriers will face a 19% surcharge, while LPG and chemical tankers will be subject to a 32% surcharge.
The new rates will apply to vessels commencing transit on or after July 15. The increase comes as the SCA continues efforts to attract vessels back to the canal following the disruption to Red Sea shipping that prompted many carriers to divert around the Cape of Good Hope.
SCA chairman Osama Rabie said the authority was working to increase traffic through the canal and has highlighted the return of some container services to the route.
The authority says that the Suez Canal remains the shortest and most efficient maritime link between Asia and Europe, offering significant savings in voyage time compared with alternative routes around southern Africa.
According to the SCA, the additional surcharges are temporary measures and may be amended, suspended or withdrawn depending on future market conditions.
