The Suez Canal, as a world-class shipping artery connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe, handles over 12% of global trade volume and serves as a core hub for the Suez Canal Economic Belt within China's "Belt and Road" Initiative. This 193-kilometer-long waterway is a vital channel for oceangoing vessels traveling between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, and its navigation efficiency is crucial to global trade. However, the navigation operations, administrative management, and even the geopolitical environment in this region are quite unique. Drawing on the practical experience of numerous seasoned captains and the latest canal regulations, we have compiled this "Practical Guide for Transiting the Suez Canal" to assist vessels in achieving efficient and compliant passage.

苏伊士运河作为连接亚、非、欧三洲的世界级航运咽喉要道，承载着全球超12%的贸易运输量，更是中国"一带一路"倡议中苏伊士运河经济带的核心枢纽。这条全长193公里的航道是远洋船舶往返地中海与印度洋的核心通道，其通航效率对全球贸易至关重要。然而，该区域的航行操作、行政管理乃至地缘政治环境都颇具独特性。我们结合多位资深船长的实操经验与运河最新规范，为大家整理了一份"苏伊士运河实操指南"，助力船舶高效合规通行。

Passage Fundamentals: Strategic Understanding and Core Prerequisites

通行基础：战略认知与核心前提

Waterway Positioning and Operational Framework

航道定位与运营框架

Since its opening in 1869, the Suez Canal has always been operated and scheduled by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), with over 50 vessels transiting daily, generating billions of dollars in toll revenue annually for Egypt. Its unique lock-free design enhances transit efficiency but imposes strict requirements on vessel convoys and speed control. A grounding incident in 2021 further underscored the importance of compliant operations——the investigation indicated excessive speed and insufficient situational awareness as key contributing factors.

苏伊士运河自1869年开通以来，始终由苏伊士运河管理局（SCA）负责运营调度，日均通行船舶超50艘，年为埃及带来数十亿美元通行费收入。其独特的无船闸设计虽提升了通行效率，但对船舶编队、航速控制提出了严苛要求，2021年发生了一件搁浅事故，更警示了合规操作的重要性------事故调查显示，航速过快与情景意识不足是关键诱因。

Two policy updates in 2025 are noteworthy: first, a 15% toll discount for large container ships over 130,000 dwt effective May 15th; second, the full implementation of a mandatory garbage recovery system for both northbound and southbound vessels effective May 14th. These two policies directly impact passage costs and procedural arrangements.

2025年运河政策有两大更新值得关注：一是5月15日起对13万吨级以上大型集装箱船实施15%通行费折扣，二是5月14日起南北向船舶全面实施强制垃圾回收制度，这两大政策直接影响通行成本与流程安排。

Passage Qualifications and Pre-transit Preparation

通行资质与前置准备

Vessels must meet dual compliance requirements in advance: they must conform to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and also pass the Suez Canal Special Survey. The China Classification Society (CCS) 2023 edition survey guide specifies that vessels must submit drawings and data for pilot ladders, boarding arrangements, etc., to ensure structure and equipment comply with canal rules. The issued declaration is valid long-term unless modifications are made or rules are updated.

船舶需提前满足双重合规要求：既要符合《国际海上人命安全公约》，也要通过苏伊士运河专项检验。中国船级社（CCS）2023版检验指南明确，船舶需提交引航员接口、登离船装置布置等图纸资料，确保构造与设备符合运河规则，检验合格后签发的声明长期有效（改建或规则更新除外）。

The agent must submit vessel details to the SCA 24 hours in advance, including core documents such as the Suez Canal Net Tonnage Certificate (SCNT), crew list, and cargo manifest. Onboard, the vessel must test canal lights and verify main engine status in advance to avoid additional charges due to equipment issues.

代理端需提前24小时向SCA提交船舶详情，包括苏伊士运河吨位证书（SCNT）、船员名单、货物清单等核心文件；船端则需提前测试运河灯、核查主机状态，避免因设备问题产生额外费用。

Full Process Practical Operations: Key Stages from Convoy to Exit

全流程实操：从编队到出境的关键节点

Time Management: Seizing Convoy Opportunities

时间管控：抢占编队先机

The canal operates a "convoy cut-off line" system. Regardless of direction, vessels must pass a designated line and confirm convoy assignment with VTS before 23:00 local time to be scheduled for transit the next day. Missing the deadline results in a one-day postponement. Expedited passage fees are high, and most shipowners opt to wait.

运河实行"编队截止线"制度，无论南北向航行，船舶需在当地时间23:00前通过指定界线并联系交管确认编队，方可安排次日通行；逾期则需顺延一天，加急通行费用高昂，多数船东会选择等待。

Experienced captains note that northbound vessels arriving at the anchorage before 09:30 the next day achieve a "triple advantage": transit vessels from the previous day have cleared, leaving ample anchorage space; inspectors and quarantine personnel board more efficiently, completing procedures quickly; and they avoid being reassigned anchorage positions due to arriving too early or too late, which could affect convoy sequencing. The Second Officer on night watch must pay close attention to the VTS broadcast announcing convoy numbers, accurately recording the vessel's position and the names of vessels ahead and behind to avoid convoy confusion.

资深船长经验显示，北上船舶若能在次日9:30前抵达锚地，可实现"三重优势"：前一日过境船舶已清空，锚地空位充足；检查官与检疫人员登轮效率更高，能快速完成手续；避免因到港过早或过晚被调整锚位，影响编队排序。后半夜值班二副需重点关注交管广播"放号"，准确记录本船位次及前后船名，避免编队混淆。

New Regulation Implementation: Standardized Garbage Recovery Operations

新规落地：垃圾回收规范操作

The mandatory garbage recovery system implemented in 2025 sets clear operational requirements: northbound vessels complete recovery at the anchorage, while southbound vessels handle it within the canal. Garbage must be sorted and collected in advance, then quickly transferred using ship's cranes upon the recovery vessel's arrival. Signed receipts must be retained for record-keeping throughout the process. Standardized operations not only avoid penalties but also reduce unnecessary onboard contact, enhancing transit efficiency.

2025年实施的强制垃圾回收制度对操作流程提出明确要求：北上船舶在锚地完成回收，南下船舶则在航道内办理，需提前将垃圾分类归集，待回收船抵达后用船吊快速转运，全程需留存签收单据备案。规范操作不仅能避免处罚，更可减少不必要的登轮接触，提升通行效率。

Pilot Coordination: Differential Responses for Northbound and Southbound Routes

引航衔接：南北航线差异化应对

Pilotage is the core element of canal transit, requiring three shifts of pilots over approximately 11-16 hours. The Captain must remain on duty throughout to assist. Pilot procedures differ significantly between northbound and southbound routes:

引航是运河通行的核心环节，全程需三波引航员轮替，总耗时约11-16小时，船长需保持全程在岗协作。南北航线引航流程存在显著差异：

Northbound Route: Pilots board at the anchorage. The first pilot typically comes onboard around 05:00-06:00, focusing on checking mandatory materials like charts and publications. Missing items can be urgently supplied through the agent.

北上航线：引航员在锚地登船，首波引航员通常于凌晨五六点到岗，重点核查海图、图书等强制资料，缺失可通过代理紧急补给；

Southbound Route: Vessels must maneuver into the canal channel on their own to receive the pilot. The second and third pilots each handle about 5 hours of pilotage. Speed and avoidance plans should be communicated in advance.

南下航线：船舶需自行操纵进入航道后迎接引航员登船，第二、三波引航员各负责约5小时引航任务，需提前沟通航速与避让方案。

Key Links: Compliance Response and Risk Prevention

关键环节：合规应对与风险防控

Communication with Boarding Personnel: Upholding Professional Standards

登轮人员沟通：坚守专业底线

Canal transit involves various boarding personnel like inspectors, quarantine officers, and electricians. The core of communication lies in "compliance first, respond by the rules." Vessels should prepare a complete set of documents in advance, including the Certificate of Registry, survey reports, etc., ensuring no omissions——comprehensive materials significantly improve inspection efficiency and reduce communication costs.

运河通行涉及检查官、检疫人员、电工等多类登轮人员，沟通核心在于"合规前置、依规应对"。船舶应提前备齐船舶登记证书、检验报告等全套资料，确保文件无疏漏------完备的材料能显著提升检查效率，减少沟通成本。

For boarding technicians, clearly define the inspection scope and verify their qualifications and authorization. For requests exceeding official procedures, contact Port Control via VHF for verification, relying on official SCA channels to resolve disputes. Simultaneously, manage boarding areas normatively, designating the deck as the permitted activity area and preventing unauthorized personnel from entering living quarters to reduce management risks.

对登轮技术人员，需明确限定检查范围，核实其资质与授权；对超出官方规程的要求，可通过甚高频（VHF）联系港调核实，依托SCA官方渠道解决争议。同时规范登轮区域管理，明确甲板为指定活动范围，避免无关人员进入生活区，降低管理风险。

During pilot communication, if questioned about vessel status or speed, respond objectively based on the actual vessel condition and canal characteristics (limited water depth, high traffic density), citing the vessel's test reports as necessary when required. Industry experience shows that crew professional competence (English communication, equipment operation) and standardized operational records are the foundation for ensuring smooth communication.

引航沟通中，若遇船舶状态、航速等方面的问询，可依据实船情况结合运河航道特点（水深有限、通航密度高）客观说明，必要时援引船舶测试报告佐证。行业经验表明，船员专业能力（英文沟通、设备操作）与规范操作记录，是保障顺畅沟通的基础。

Navigation and Communication: Solving Challenges in Special Scenarios

导航与通讯：破解特殊场景难题

Navigation and communication challenges in northern and southern waters require pre-planning: GPS signals in the northern anchorage near Israel and the southern Red Sea are prone to disruption due to geopolitical situations. Pre-positioning via chart comparison is necessary. Establish communication links with Chinese vessels in the same convoy; following a compliant convoy reduces the risk of getting lost.

南北水域的导航通讯挑战需提前预案：北面锚地因邻近以色列、南面红海受地缘局势影响，GPS信号易出现中断，需提前通过航图比对完成定位，与同编队中资船舶建立通讯联动，跟随合规船队航行可降低迷航风险。

VTS communication requires skill: Northern VTS may ask detailed questions; respond clearly using standard maritime phrases. If southern VTS calls are difficult to get through, maintain VHF watch and repeat calls. The bridge is advised to follow the "sterile cockpit" principle, focusing on core navigation tasks during transit, minimizing unrelated distractions, and enhancing the team's emergency response capability.

交管沟通需注意技巧：北面交管可能提出细节问询，应使用标准航海用语清晰应答；南面交管若出现呼叫不畅，可保持高频值守重复呼叫。驾驶台建议参照“无菌操作”原则，过境期间聚焦航行核心任务，减少无关干扰，提升团队应急响应能力。

Cost Control: Meticulous Planning to Reduce Expenses

成本管控：精打细算降支出

Canal costs consist of basic fees, surcharges, and service fees. For a bulk carrier, total costs typically range between $185,000 and $405,000, influenced by factors like SCNT tonnage, vessel type, and geopolitical risk. Cost optimization can be approached from three angles:

运河费用由基本费、附加费及服务费构成，以散货船为例，总费用通常在18.5万-40.5万美元之间，受SCNT吨位、船型、地缘风险等因素影响。成本优化可从三方面入手：

Utilize Policy Benefits: Container ships over 130,000 dwt can apply for the 15% toll discount; LNG carriers also have specific reduction policies.

利用政策红利：13万吨级以上集装箱船可申请15%通行费折扣，LNG船也有专项减免政策；

Avoid Additional Expenses: Test canal lights in advance, confirm electrician availability, and clearly inform Port Control that additional provision is unnecessary, saving on rental fees.

避免额外支出：提前测试运河灯、确认电机员配备，明确告知港调无需额外提供，节省租赁费用；

Plan Transit Timing: Reasonably schedule arrival times to avoid expedited booking fees. Also monitor exchange rate fluctuations and choose favorable settlement currencies.

规划通行时间：合理安排到港节点，避免加急预订费，同时关注汇率波动，选择有利结算货币。

Future Trends and Long-term Recommendations

未来趋势与长效建议

The SCA is enhancing canal capacity through three major initiatives: expanding a 10km channel section for two-way traffic, upgrading infrastructure to accommodate ultra-large vessels, and launching an intelligent scheduling platform for real-time tracking, aiming to increase transit capacity by 40-60%. Vessels must continuously monitor changes in navigation rules due to waterway upgrades and adapt early to digital scheduling requirements.

SCA正通过三大举措提升运河能力：扩建10公里航道实现双向通行、升级基础设施容纳超大型船舶、上线智能调度平台实现实时跟踪，目标将通行容量提升40-60%。船舶需持续关注航道升级带来的通航规则变化，提前适配数字化调度要求。

From a long-term strategic perspective, the Suez Canal Economic Belt encompasses over 20 countries. It is not only an important trading partner for China but also a concentrated area for overseas investment——projects like China's participation in Egypt's New Administrative Capital construction are driving local economic growth at an average annual rate of 4.4%, providing a foundational guarantee for waterway security. For shipping professionals, compliant passage is not only a necessity for vessel safety but also a responsibility to maintain the smooth operation of this strategic national corridor.

从长期战略看，苏伊士运河经济带涵盖20余个国家，既是我国重要贸易伙伴，也是海外投资集中区域------我国参与的埃及新首都建设等项目，正推动当地经济年均增长4.4%，为航道安全提供了基础保障。作为航运从业者，合规通行不仅是保障船舶安全的需要，更是维护国家战略通道顺畅的责任。

It is recommended that captain teams establish a "one-voyage-one-summary" mechanism, documenting process optimization points and risk response cases from each transit. Simultaneously, stay updated on CCS survey guides and SCA policy changes, transforming professional competence into transit efficiency. After all, on this golden waterway connecting global interests, professionalism and compliance are the most reliable "passport."

建议船长团队建立"一航一总结"机制，记录通行中的流程优化点与风险应对案例，同时关注CCS检验指南与SCA政策更新，将专业能力转化为通行效率。毕竟，在这条连接全球利益的黄金水道上，专业与合规才是最可靠的"通行证"。

For various challenges during Suez Canal transit, E-PORTS provides comprehensive professional support and transit services for vessels. To learn more about Suez Canal transit solutions or other services, please contact us via:

针对苏伊士运河通行中的各项挑战，E-PORTS为通航船舶提供全方位专业支持与过河服务。若需要了解更多关于苏伊士运河通行方案或其它服务，可通过以下方式联系：

WhatsApp/Wechat：13816101982

Email：contact@e-ports.com