The Suez Canal, a critical waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, handles approximately 12% of global maritime trade. Its navigational efficiency directly impacts the stability of global supply chains. To accurately grasp the canal fees, it is essential to deeply understand its unique billing system. Today, we will mainly introduce the billing rules for tanker vessels.  

苏伊士运河作为连接红海与地中海的关键航道，承担了全球约12%的海运贸易量，其通航效率直接影响到全球供应链的稳定。要准确把握运河费用，首先需要深入了解其独特的计费体系。今天主要介绍一下油轮类船舶的计费规则。

Basic Components of Suez Canal Transit Fees

苏伊士过河费基础

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) uses Special Drawing Rights (SDR) as the settlement unit, which is an international reserve asset. It is issued by the International Monetary Fund, and its exchange rate against the US dollar fluctuates daily. In the actual toll calculation process, the fee calculation requires three steps: "base rate × SCNT → converse to SDR → converse to US dollar". The SCA updates the exchange rate on its official website at 9:00 AM every day. This mechanism means that the canal fee may vary on different days, increasing the complexity of fee estimation.

SCA采用特别提款权（SDR） 作为结算单位，这是一种由国际货币基金组织发行的国际储备资产，其兑美元汇率每日波动。在实际计费过程中，费用计算需经过"基础费率×SCNT→换算成SDR→再兑美元"三步转换。SCA每日上午9点会在官网更新汇率，这一机制使得运河费用在不同日期可能有所差异，增加了费用预估的复杂性。

For special vessel types, the SCA has established a series of specific billing rules, which often differ significantly from those for general cargo ships. The billing for special vessel types is not only based on the SCNT, but is also closely related to various factors such as vessel function, cargo type, and sailing status. If these specific rules are not accurately grasped, cost estimation errors will occur, often exceeding 10%. This can negatively impact a shipping company's cost control.  

对于特殊船型而言，SCA制定了一系列专门的计费规则，这些规则常常与普通货船的计费方式大相径庭。特殊船型的计费不仅基于SCNT，更与船舶功能、载货类型、航行状态等多种因素密切相关。若不能准确把握这些特殊规则，费用预估偏差超过10%的情况时有发生，对航运企业的成本控制造成实质性影响。

Table: Overview of Billing Characteristics for Major Special Ship Types in the Suez Canal

表：苏伊士运河主要特殊船型计费特点概述

Billing Rules for Tanker Vessels  

油轮类船舶的计费规则

Billing Standards for Ballast (Empty) Tankers

空载油轮的计费标准

The SCA applies a unified billing standard to ballast (empty) tankers, clearly stipulating: "Empty petroleum product tankers shall be charged as empty crude oil tankers" and "Vessels qualifying as empty 'chemical/petroleum product' tankers shall fall under the empty crude oil tanker fee category." This regulation breaks the conventional perception of "subdivision by vessel type." It means that regardless of whether a tanker originally transports refined oil, chemicals, or other petroleum products, as long as it is in ballast condition, it will be uniformly billed according to the rate for ballast crude oil tankers.  

SCA对空载油轮采用统一化的计费标准，明确规定："空石油衍生品油轮收费用，如空原油油轮"以及"空'化学品/石油衍生品'油轮的船舶，适用空原油油轮费用类别"。这一规定打破了"按船型细分"的惯性认知，意味着无论一艘油轮原本是运输成品油、化学品还是其他石油衍生品，只要处于压载状态，均统一按压载原油船的费率计费。

Exceptions and Special Provisions  

例外情况与特殊规定

It is worth noting that there are exceptions to the unified rate rule for ballast tankers. The SCA also stipulates: "Empty OBOs are considered empty dry bulk carriers." This means that if a tanker also has the characteristics of OBO, it will not be subject to the unified tanker rate in ballast condition but will be billed as a dry bulk carrier. Such complex rule interactions require shipowners not only to understand the physical characteristics of their vessels but also to master the SCA's specific standards for vessel classification.  

值得注意的是，空载油轮统一费率规则存在例外情况。SCA同时规定："空的组合船被视为空的干散货船"。这意味着如果一艘油轮同时具备组合船特征，在空载状态下将不适用油轮统一费率，而是按干散货船计费。这种复杂的规则交互要求船东不仅要了解自身船舶的物理特性，还需掌握SCA对船舶分类的具体标准。

E-PORTS provides shipowners with comprehensive professional support and transit services related to Suez Canal transit fees. If you need to learn more about Suez Canal transit solutions or other services, please contact us via the following methods:  

E-PORTS为船东提供有关苏伊士过河费的全方位专业支持与过河服务。若需要了解更多关于苏伊士过河方案或其它服务，可通过以下方式联系：

WhatsApp/Wechat: 13816101982

Email: contact@e-ports.com