“The project of dualizing the canal at the Small Bitter Lakes is ready for actual operation”
Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, announced the release of the new navigational charts for the canal after incorporating the updates related to the Southern Sector Development Project, which were approved by the Egyptian Navy’s Hydrographic Department, the British Admiralty, which is responsible for issuing electronic charts and navigational data for Egyptian ports and the Suez Canal.
The chairman pointed out that the necessary procedures to ensure that passing ships acquire the new charts have been completed. Navigational rooms have been notified, and the canal chart has been updated in the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). Additionally, navigational updates have been made for paper charts until new printed versions for ships are issued.
The chairman clarified that the new navigational charts for the canal include an expansion of 40 meters to the east in the scope of the canal expansion project from km 132 to km 162 of the canal’s numbering, as well as the addition of the new dualized section, which is 10 kilometers long, from km 122 to km 132, in the Small Bitter Lakes area, where navigational aids are placed to ensure the safety of navigation.
The chairman emphasized the technical readiness of the Southern Sector Development Project in its two parts, and the readiness of the dualization project in the Small Bitter Lakes area for actual operation after completing all the technical and navigational procedures, including the installation of navigational aids and the completion of training for the Authority’s pilots on safe transit within the Southern Sector at the Suez Canal’s Maritime Training and Simulation Academy.
The chairman explained that the Southern Sector Development Project is a qualitative leap that will enhance the competitiveness of the canal, attract new types of ships and maritime units that have not transited the canal before, in addition to ensuring safe passage and increasing navigational safety rates for non-traditional transit operations.
Admiral Rabie stressed the navigational and economic importance of the Southern Sector Development Project and its role in enhancing the canal’s leadership and raising its global ranking by providing multiple navigational advantages, the most prominent of which are increasing navigational safety, reducing the impact of the pressure of the canal’s banks on ships with a large draft after the canal’s expansion by 40 meters to the east, and increasing the depth from 66 feet to 72 feet within the scope of the canal expansion project.
He also highlighted that the dualization project will increase the canal’s capacity by 6 to 8 ships per day, adding 10 kilometers to the new Suez Canal, making its total length 82 kilometers instead of 72 kilometers.
Pls be guided accy,
Best Regards
KADMAR Shipping