Breaking News! Barge Capsizes in Egypt’s Gulf of Suez, Resulting in 4 Fatalities 突发！埃及一艘驳船在苏伊士湾倾覆 已致4人死亡

Breaking News! Barge Capsizes in Egypt’s Gulf of Suez, Resulting in 4 Fatalities

突发！埃及一艘驳船在苏伊士湾倾覆 已致4人死亡

On the evening of July 1, the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources issued a statement indicating that a barge owned by a petroleum production company capsized near the Gabal el Zayt region in the Gulf of Suez. In response, the ministers of petroleum and mineral resources and labor have dispatched a team to the site to evaluate the situation and oversee rescue efforts.

According to official sources, approximately 30 individuals were on board the barge. Tragically, four bodies have been recovered, while 23 people were rescued. Several individuals remain missing, and search operations are ongoing. At the time of the incident, the barge was engaged in activities within the Red Sea. The cause of the capsizing is currently under investigation.

当地时间7月1日晚，埃及石油部发表声明说，收到油气生产公司报告称，一艘埃及驳船在苏伊士湾的扎伊特山地区发生倾覆事故。埃及石油和矿产资源部长以及劳工部长率领的工作小组已赶赴事故现场评估情况，监督救援行动。

据官方消息人士透露，事故驳船上约30人。4具遇难者遗体已被找到，成功救出23人，仍有数名失踪人员在搜救中。该消息人士表示，倾覆驳船当时正在红海作业。事故原因仍在调查中。

Gulf of Suez

The Gulf of Suez, situated between the northeastern coast of Africa and the western coast of Asia’s Sinai Peninsula, represents the northwestern arm of the Red Sea. It extends for 325 kilometers in length, with a width ranging from 14 to 46 kilometers and a depth of 80 meters. The northern end of the gulf is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, which traverses the Suez Isthmus. Several ports, including Suez, line its shores. The region is abundant in petroleum resources, making it the country’s foremost oil - producing area, with offshore fields such as Murghab and Balayem.

As the southern entrance to the Suez Canal, the Gulf of Suez plays a pivotal role in maritime transportation. Approximately 10% of global maritime trade transits through the canal, underscoring the gulf’s significance in global shipping. It serves as a crucial corridor that substantially reduces voyage times and distances between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

The Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas, is a vital artery for cargo transportation between developed European nations and emerging Asian markets. Hundreds of large vessels pass through daily, connecting to ports across the globe. Disruptions to canal traffic can trigger widespread delays in maritime trade, forcing vessels to take the much longer route around the African continent.

苏伊士湾

苏伊士湾（Gulf of Suez）位于埃及非洲部分东北岸同亚洲部分（西奈半岛）西岸间的海湾，为红海的西北角。长325公里，宽14-46公里，深80米。北端由苏伊士运河纵穿苏伊士地峡通连地中海。沿岸有苏伊士等港市。石油资源较丰富，为全国最重要的采油区，有穆尔甘、拜拉伊姆等海上油田。

苏伊士运河是连接红海和地中海的最直接通道，而苏伊士湾作为运河的南端入口，承担着重要的航运任务。全球约 10% 的海运贸易都要经过苏伊士运河，因此苏伊士湾的航运繁忙程度可见一斑，它大大缩短了印度洋和大西洋之间的航程，节省了大量的运输时间和成本。

苏伊士运河连通地中海和红海，是欧洲发达国家与亚洲新兴市场国家之间货物运输的要道，每天都有上百艘大型运输船只经过这里，前往世界各地。一旦运河的通行秩序受到影响，全球的海运秩序都会受到影响。进而导致大量船只不得不舍近求远，绕过非洲大陆，增加运输时间。

Port City Profile:

Suez, the capital of the Suez Governorate in Egypt, is located at the southern terminus of the Suez Canal. The city comprises three main districts: New City, Old City (Ebrahim Port), and Tewfik Port, with a population of 447,000 as of 1983. Since the seventh century, it has served as the endpoint of the canal connecting the Nile River and the Red Sea. During the Ottoman Empire era, it functioned as both a military and commercial port. Following the inauguration of the Suez Canal in 1869, Suez evolved into a significant port city with a bustling transshipment business. The city is home to large - scale refineries as well as industries such as fertilizer production, shipbuilding, and paper manufacturing. Pipelines transport oil to Cairo and Alexandria, and the city is connected to Cairo by rail and road.

The cities of Suez and Tewfik Port are pivotal port cities along the Gulf of Suez. Suez, situated on the northwest coast of the gulf and serving as the capital of the Suez Governorate, and Tewfik Port, located on the northeast coast, both play crucial roles in the gulf’s shipping and economic activities. Suez’s port facilities are well - developed, offering services such as refueling, vessel repairs, and supplies, and it serves as a key hub for cargo loading, unloading, and transshipment. Tewfik Port, a modern port capable of accommodating large vessels, is one of Egypt’s major oil - exporting ports.

For a more detailed introduction to the Port of Suez, please click on the following link to access the relevant article.

• 港市介绍

苏伊士是埃及港市，苏伊士省首府。在苏伊士运河南端。由新城、旧城易卜拉欣港及陶菲克港三部分组成。人口44.7万（1983年）。七世纪时是连接尼罗河和红海的运河航运终点，奥斯曼帝国时代曾为军港和商港。1869年苏伊士运河开通后发展为重要港市，港口转运业务繁忙。有大型炼油厂及化肥、船舶、造纸等工业。输油管通开罗及亚历山大，铁路、公路通开罗。

苏伊士市和陶菲克港是苏伊士湾重要的港口城市。苏伊士湾的西北岸是埃及的苏伊士市，该市是苏伊士省的首府，也是重要的港口城市；东北岸是埃及的陶菲克港，这两个城市在苏伊士湾的航运和经济活动中扮演着重要角色。苏伊士市的港口设施较为完善，能够为各类船舶提供加油、维修、补给等服务，同时也是货物装卸和转运的重要枢纽。陶菲克港则是一个现代化的港口，能够容纳大型船舶停靠，是埃及重要的石油出口港之一。

有关苏伊士港的详细介绍，可点击此链接文章查看。

Tewfik Port

Located on the northwest coast of the Gulf of Suez, Tewfik Port is part of the Suez Governorate in Egypt and serves as one of the southern terminus ports of the Suez Canal. Along with the Port of Suez, it forms a key component of the Suez region and is in close proximity, connected directly by canal waterways.

It is one of the major ports along the Asia - Europe maritime route (linking the Far East and the Mediterranean - Europe regions), maintaining close shipping connections with ports worldwide. Numerous vessels from Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond stop here for transshipment.

Connected to Mediterranean ports via the Suez Canal, it is a vital link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean and a key hub for Asia - Europe cargo transportation. It significantly shortens the voyage between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

A Closed Sea Route for Thirteen Years, Now Reopened

On June 21, Salih, Chairman of Egypt’s Red Sea Ports Authority, announced the resumption of the sea route between Egypt’s Tewfik Port and Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Port.

According to a Singapore News report dated February 22, Salih stated in a press release that the Tewfik - Jeddah sea route had been closed since a passenger ship sank in the Red Sea in 2006. The reopening is expected to generate thousands of jobs and boost trade.

Over the past few years, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been in continuous talks regarding the restoration of this route. On February 2, 2006, an Egyptian passenger ship carrying over 1,400 people malfunctioned and sank in the Red Sea, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and 385 injuries.

This route remained closed for thirteen years and was finally reopened in 2019.

陶菲克港

位于埃及苏伊士省苏伊士市东北部，苏伊士湾西北岸，是苏伊士运河南端的重要港口之一，与苏伊士港同处一个区域，同属苏伊士市，两港相距很近，可通过运河航道直接连通。

是地东线（远东 — 地中海 — 欧洲）海运航线上的主要港口之一，与全球各大港口有着密切的航线联系，大量来自亚洲、欧洲、非洲等地区的船舶在此停靠中转。

通过苏伊士运河，与地中海沿岸的港口紧密相连，是连接红海与地中海的重要中转站，也是欧洲与亚洲之间货物运输的重要枢纽，大大缩短了印度洋和大西洋之间的航程。

关闭13年海上航线，重启！

此前，埃及红海港口管理局主席萨利赫21日宣布，重启埃及港口陶菲克港和沙特阿拉伯吉达港之间的海上航线。

新加坡联合早报2月22日报道，萨利赫在一份声明中表示，自从一艘客船2006年在红海海域沉没后，陶菲克港和吉达港之间的海上航线被关闭。重新开放航线将创造数千个就业机会，且有利于促进贸易。

据了解，过去几年来，埃及和沙特就重新开放两港间航线持续进行沟通。2006年2月2日，载有1400多人的埃及客轮在红海海域发生故障并沉没，致使1000多人遇难，385人受伤。

这条航线就此关闭了13年，终于在2019年重新开放。

Strategic and Military Importance

The Gulf of Suez, situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa and controlling the southern entrance to the Suez Canal, holds significant strategic and military importance for global trade and energy transportation. Historically, it has been a focal point of contention among major powers, as exemplified by the 1956 Suez Canal Crisis, triggered by attempts from the UK, France, and Israel to seize control of the canal.

The navigability of the Suez Canal is of global concern. Past disruptions to canal traffic have often been the unintended consequences of regional conflicts involving neighboring powers, with the UN typically stepping in to resolve the issues. This highlights the critical and sensitive nature of the canal’s operations.

The Suez Canal is one of the world’s most important maritime corridors. Before the escalation of the Red Sea crisis, it facilitated approximately 10% of global maritime trade and about 30% of global container shipments, playing a crucial role in international trade. Following the outbreak of the Red Sea crisis, international shipping companies began to regard the Red Sea as a high - risk area, leading to rerouting of vessels and a significant decline in canal traffic and revenue.

战略军事地位

苏伊士湾地处欧、亚、非三洲的交通要冲，控制着苏伊士运河的南端入口，对于全球贸易、能源运输以及战略军事部署都具有极其重要的地位。历史上，苏伊士湾地区多次成为大国争夺的焦点，如 1956 年的苏伊士运河危机，就是因为英、法、以色列等国试图控制苏伊士运河而引发的军事冲突。

所以苏伊士运河的通航问题牵动着世界各国的神经，以往苏伊士运河暂停通行，都是在大国默许下，周边区域性强国军事冲突的副产品。最终往往都会由联合国出面解决问题，可见苏伊士运河通航问题的重要性和敏感性。

苏伊士运河是全球最重要的航运通道之一，在此轮红海危机蔓延之前，该运河承担了大约10%的全球海上贸易运输量和约30%的集装箱运输，对国际贸易至关重要。红海危机爆发后，国际航运企业视红海水域为高风险航线，纷纷绕行。苏伊士运河船舶通行量及通行费收入大幅下降。

Suez Canal Reduces Transit Fees

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) of Egypt announced on the 13th that it would offer a 15% discount on transit fees for large container ships starting May 15th. This move aims to encourage shipping companies to return to the Suez Canal as the security situation in the Red Sea improves.

SCA Chairman Osama Rabie stated in the announcement that the discount applies to container ships with a net tonnage of 130,000 tons and above, and will be valid for 90 days.

Rabie said the SCA has been closely following the rapid changes in the maritime transport industry and is responding flexibly to the current challenges in the Red Sea region through communication with relevant parties in the international maritime community. The Suez Canal, connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean since its opening in 1869, serves as the most convenient "maritime bridge" between Europe and Asia. Before the recent regional turmoil, it handled about 10% of global seaborne trade.

Suez Canal revenue is also a major source of Egypt's state revenue and foreign exchange reserves. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, it brought Egypt $9.4 billion in revenue. Before the escalation of regional security tensions, the canal's traffic statistics set historical records in 2023: annual transits reached 26,434 vessels (an all-time high), net tonnage reached 1.56 billion tons (also a record), and annual revenue reached $10.3 billion (a new high).

This capsizing incident in the Gulf of Suez underscores the urgent need for the improvement and enforcement of safety measures amidst busy shipping activities. While the specific cause of this capsizing remains unknown, regardless, the event has exposed potential safety loopholes and hidden dangers within the complex and bustling shipping operations of the Gulf.

Based on past experiences with similar accidents, causes of capsizing can include mechanical failure, operational error, severe weather, or structural issues with the vessel itself. For waters like the Gulf of Suez, possessing unique geographical and strategic significance, shipping safety involves the interests of numerous countries and regions. Negligence in any single link can lead to severe consequences. Currently, relevant authorities are making every effort to investigate the cause of the accident. This is not only to provide answers to the victims and their families but also to identify the root problems in order to implement targeted improvement measures.

苏伊士运河降低过境费

据新华社消息，埃及苏伊士运河管理局13日发布声明说，自5月15日起向大型集装箱船提供15%的过境费优惠。此举旨在鼓励航运公司在红海安全形势好转的情况下重返苏伊士运河。

埃及苏伊士运河管理局主席乌萨马·拉比耶在声明中表示，该优惠适用于净吨位13万吨及以上的集装箱船，有效期为90天。

拉比耶说，运河管理局一直在跟进海上运输行业的快速变化，通过与国际海事界相关方沟通，灵活应对当前红海地区的挑战。苏伊士运河连接红海和地中海，1869年建成通航以来，成为欧洲和亚洲之间最便捷的“海上桥梁”，在这轮地区动荡之前承担了大约10%的全球海上贸易运输量。

苏伊士运河收入也是埃及国家财政收入和外汇储备的主要来源之一。在2022至2023财年给埃及带来94亿美元收入。在该地区安全紧张局势升级之前，运河的航行统计曾在2023年刷新历史纪录，全年船舶过境量达26434船，为历史最高，全年净吨位达15.6亿吨，也是历史最高；全年收入达103亿美元，创历史新高。

这一次苏伊士湾倾覆事件，凸显了在繁忙的航运活动中，安全保障措施的完善与执行迫在眉睫。当然此次倾覆具体原因仍未可知，但无论如何，这一事件都暴露了在繁忙且复杂的苏伊士湾航运活动中，可能存在的安全漏洞和隐患。

从过往类似事故的经验来看，机械故障、操作失误、恶劣天气以及船舶本身的结构问题等，都可能是导致船舶倾覆的原因。而对于苏伊士湾这种具有特殊地理和战略意义的水域，其航运安全涉及到众多国家和地区的利益，任何一个环节的疏忽都可能引发严重后果。目前，相关部门正在全力调查事故原因，这不仅是为了给遇难者及其家属一个交代，更是为了找出问题所在，从而采取针对性的改进措施。