SCA Chief announces success of trial operation of the Suez Canal's expansion project in Small Bitter Lakes

CAIRO – 28 December 2024: Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Admiral Osama Rabie announced the successful trial operation of the Suez Canal's expansion project in the Small Bitter Lakes as part of the southern sector development project (the southern part of the navigation passage). 

This was marked by the passage of two vessels through the new canal route following the completion of dredging works on the project, from kilometer 122 to kilometer 132 of the Suez Canal's numbering system.

The SCA Chairman explained that the canal's navigation saw the passage of both the bulk carrier “FU XING HAI” and the vessel “SUVARI BEY” from the new channel expansion area in the Small Bitter Lakes during their journey as part of the southbound convoy. 

This coincided with the passage of four ships from the eastern side of the original canal, including the container ship “MATHILDE SCHULTE”, the multi-purpose vessel COSCO SHIPPING TENG DA,” the bulk carrier “YANGTZE ALPHA”, and the vessel “RUI FU Cheng.”

Rabie noted that the Authority had taken several measures to ensure the success of the trial operation, starting with the preparation of the new channel with buoys and necessary navigational equipment at the project site. Two escort tugboats were also assigned for maritime security, and a team of skilled canal pilots was appointed to guide ships through the new section of the expansion project after inspecting the project site and conducting a trial maneuver at the Maritime Training Academy, simulating safe passage.

The Chairman emphasized that the southern sector development project, in both of its parts, marks a significant qualitative leap that will enhance the safety of navigation through the canal and reduce the impact of water and air currents on passing vessels. 

He highlighted the many navigational advantages the expansion of the canal in the Small Bitter Lakes will bring. The doubling of the channel by adding 10 kilometers to the new Suez Canal will increase its total length from 72 kilometers to 82 kilometers. This will contribute to boosting the canal's capacity by an additional 6 to 8 ships per day, as well as improving the ability to handle potential emergency situations.

Rabie also directed joint coordination between the Canal Operations Department and the Marine Survey Division of the Egyptian Navy to issue updated navigational charts for the canal, incorporating the new 10-kilometer double section between kilometers 122 and 132 in the Small Bitter Lakes. The actual operation of the expansion area will commence once the new charts are released.

The Suez Canal Authority has started the expansion of the southern part of the canal after the grounding of the Panama-flagged MV EVER GIVEN ship. 

Today’s trial operation comes in time when the SCA experienced major loss in the canal revenues by 50% due to the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and the disturbance of the Red Sea navigation caused by the Yemeni Houthis against Israeli, US and UK vessels passing through the maritime passage in response to the Israeli genocidal attacks on the Palestinians in Gaza.

In May 2023, former Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, has revealed projections for Suez Canal revenues, to decline by around 60 percent due to tensions in the nearby Red Sea. Last year, the SCA Chief Rabie announced that the annual revenues of Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority (SCA) are at an all-time high, amounting to $9.4 billion during the 2022/2023 fiscal year.

Additional reporting by Samar Samir