Copyright 2010 © Atlantic Maritime All Rights Reserved. Convoy System   Art. 49 – Formation  of  Convoys  : Three Main convoys system is applied in the Suez Canal. A.  Northbound Convoy : 1. Starts at hr 0600 at Km. 160 and consists of two groups of vessels(1). a.  Group A : 1. Navy ships, Tankers over 40000 SC.G.T in ballast GF. or N.G.F., L.P.G.  and  L.N.G. ( Loaded or N.G.F ),  and Loaded  chemicals carriers ( See Art. 54 ). 2. Loaded VLCC's, conventional loaded Tankers and heavy Bulk carriers ( Draught over 42 feet ). b.  Group B : Passengers ships, Car Carriers, RoRo, Container Ships with draught over 42 ft., Lash over 35000 SC.G.T., and other vessels anchored in Suez Anchorages. c. N.B. : For safety measures, L.P.G. and L.N.G . vessels, in ballast or loaded, and loaded chemicals in bulk are included in the Loaded Tankers group. 2. The Northbound convoy has almost a free run from Port of Suez till Port-Said.  It passes through the East Kabret channel (except early group), the eastern dredged channel in the Bitter Lakes, the East channel of the Deversoir, the East channel of Lake Timsah, the East channel of Ballah loop and the East channel from km. 17 Northward. 3. In case the Northbound convoy has to stop in the Bitter Lakes due to traffic situation of Southbound convoy or emergency, the following must be considered :  . Container Ships heading the convoy will drop anchor in the suitable Eastern Anchorage Areas of the Bitter Lakes. a. VLCC's will anchor in the suitable Eastern Anchorage according to their draught. b. All other vessels will anchor in the Eastern Area corresponding to their draught. c. Three berths are available in Kabret Eastern Branch in case of emergency. B.  Southbound First Convoy (N1) :  0. Starts(2)  from hr 0000 to hr 0500 and consists of 3 groups of vessels :  . Group A : Vessels anchored in the Northern Anchorage Area consisting of Container ships of draught over 42 ft., VLCC's, ULCC's in ballast over 42 feet draught, L.P.G., L.N.G., N.G.F. vessels in ballast or loaded and LASH over  35000  SC.G.T.  This  group will be headed by the Container Ships and the first vessel will enter through Port Said Eastern Approach channel. a. Group B : Vessels in Port said Harbour, This group will enter the Canal in due time to join group A at Km. 17. b. Group C : Vessels anchored in Southern Anchorage Area will enter through Port Said Western channel in due time to join Group B at Km. 17. 1. This convoy has a free run to the Bitter Lakes, passes through the East branch of Ballah by-pass, the Eastern channel of Lake Timsah, the Deversoir West(3) channel and anchors in the Western Anchorages in Bitter Lakes. 2. The sequence of continue route from the Bitter Lakes will be Warships, Passenger ships, Car carriers, RoRo, L.P.G., L.N.G. vessels, Containers over 40000 SC.G.T. and LASH over 35000 SC.G.T. followed by VLCC's in ballast and then other vessels.  The first ship of the Southbound convoy will regulate speed to cross the last Northbound vessel abeam of Kabrit station. C. Southbound Second Convoy (N2)  : 0. Starts from hr 0700 to hr 0900.  The forming and depth of this convoy is subject to situation of traffic and limit time. 1. Vessels will make fast in Ballah West Branch(4), and continue route after the last Northbound vessel clears Km. 61. 2. Dimensions of vessels that can make fast at Ballah West Branch should not exceed those indicated in the table No. 3. Vessels with the dimensions shown at the table stated above also container ships above 90000 SC.G.T. up to 95000 SC.G.T. within the dimensions are allowed to join N2 convoy against an additional charge(5) subject to transit through Port Said east branch up to Ballah by-pass : 4.  The following vessels not allowed to join this convoy are the following :  . Loaded Tankers ( or Bulk carriers ) carrying Petroleum or similar substances ( Flash point below 23º C or 73º F, ascertained by an open test or any equals degree of accuracy ). a. Liquefied inflammable gas vessels ( L.P.G., L.N.G., or similar Loaded or Ballast N.G.F. vessels ). b. Vessels not  fitted  with  double  bottom and  carrying  chemicals in bulk, or any other vessels carring crude oil or petroleum products. c. Vessels carrying uncontainerised Radioactive substance Group 1. d.  Vessels Carrying dangerous  wastes. e. Heavy lifters ( semi-submersible ) carrying heavy lift units with tonnage exceeding the lifting capacity of their individual cranes ( i.e not able to reduce her draft ). f. Vessels carrying deck cargo protruding more than what is stated in Art. 26 of the Rules of navigation. g.  Container ships over 95000 SC.G.T. h.  Navy ships. (1) -A third group ( early group ) may enter Canal  from hr 0100 to hr 0330 according to traffic situation. which drops anchor in G.B.L. and later join end of group B. (2) Starting time depends on traffic form. (3) -Except for vessels with draught of more than 42 feet will pass through East channel and anchorage in estern anchorage areas. (4) Maximum capacity 15 vessels according to the NR. of berths at Ballah Loop. (5) -Refer toArt. 50 - A - (2) e P. 67. Art. 50 – Limit Time of Arrival to Join Convoys : - The Limit Time for arrival to join the convoys will be bassed on passing the following Latitudes, and also to be declared by Agents and ready for transit : A.  Port Said :  South of Lat.     31º  28’.7  N This Lat is limited by Long.  32º  00’.27 E  & Long.  32º  37’.43 E 1. First Southbound Convoy : (N1) i.  The limit time is hr 1900 for the first southbound convoy (N1). ii. Ships arriving after hr 1900 until hr 2100 can join the first southbound convoy against the payment of a surcharge equal to 3% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 7000 SDR. iii. Ships arriving after hr 2100 until hr 2200 can join the first southbound convoy against the payment of a surcharge equal to 5% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 10500 SDR. iv. Ships arriving after hr 2200 may join the first southbound convoy, against the payments of a surcharge equals to 10% of the normal transt dues with a maxmum of 20000 SDR if the convoy situation permits. b. Second Southbound Convoy : (N2)  .  The limit time is hr 0300 for the second southbound convoy. i. Ships arriving after hr 0300 until hr 0400 can join the second southbound convoy against the payment of a surcharge equal to 3% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 7000 SDR. ii. Ships arriving after hr 0400 until hr 0500 can join the second southbound convoy against the payment of a surcharge equal to 5% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 10500 SDR. iii. Ships arriving after hr 0500 may join the second southbound convoy if traffic permits, against the payments of a surcharge equal to 10% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of 20000 SDR. iv. Container vessels over 90000 SC.G.T. and up to 95000 SC.G.T. and other Vessels both within the permissible dimensions shown in table p. 66 see Art. 49- C (4), can join the second southbound convoy against the payment of a surcharge as follows : a.  If arriving at the limit time, equal to 5% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of 10500 SDR. b. If arriving after hr 0300 till hr 0400 hrs, equal to 8% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of 17000 SDR. c. If arriving after hr 0400 till hr 0500, equal to 10% of the normal transit dues with a maximum of 20000 SDR. 2.  Port Taufiq :  North of Lat.  29º  42’.8  N  for Tanker Group : This Lat. is limited by Long.  32º  23’.1  E  & Long.  32º  41’.5 E (1) -The limit time is hr 0100 for ships that are allowed to join the tanker group,  . Ships arriving after hr 0100 until hr 0300 can also join the tanker group, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 3% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 7000 SDR. a. Ships arriving after hr 0300 until hr 0400 can also join tankers group, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 5% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 10500 SDR. b. Vessels arriving after hr 0400 may join the northbound convoy, if traffic conditions permit, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 10% of the normal transit dues with maximum of 20 000 SDR. C.  Port Taufiq :  North of Lat.  29º  48’.33  N  for Ordinary Group : This Lat. is limited by Long.  32º  27’.88  E  & Long.  32º  38’.01 E  . The limit time for ordinary group is hr 0300.  . a) -Ships arriving after hr 0300 until hr 0400 can also join the ordinary group, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 3% of the normal dues, with the maximum of 7000 SDR. i. b) -Ships arriving after hr 0400 until hr 0500 can also join the ordinary group, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 5% of the normal dues, with the maximum of 10500 SDR.  ii. c) -Ships arriving after hr 0500 may join the ordinary group if the convoy situation is authorized, against the payment of a surcharge equal to 10% of the normal dues, with the maximum of 20000 SDR. a. N.B. :  -In all the above casses, the documents required should be produced before the passage of the vessels by the Canal office at Port Said or Port Taufiq. Art. 51 – Courses to Keep on Leaving for Sea :  A. Port  Said  : -Vessels of the Northbound convoy have to maintain course through the East Approach channel till Hm. 195 then alter course North 000º for five miles before altering to destination. B.  Port of  Suez  : -Vessels proceeding to sea have to maintain through the channel till the last pair of buoys, then keep the separation zone on the port side till the separation zone Buoy No. 1. Suez Canal Convoy System Suez Canal Authority