FORMATION OF CONVOYS

Three convoy system is applied in the Suez Canal

A - NORTHBOUND CONVOY

(1) Starts at 0600 at Km. 160 and consists of two groups of vessels.

(a) GROUP A:

I - Navy ships, 4th Generation Containerships, 3rd Generation Containerships over 40.000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage & similar, Lighter Aboard Ship over 35.000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Loaded or Non Gas Free), and loaded chemicals carriers.

ii - Loaded Very Large Crude Carrier Ship's, conventional loaded Tankers and heavy Bulk carriers (draught over 38 feet or length over 950 feet Between Perpendicular).

(b) Group B:

Cargo and other vessels anchored in Suez Anchorage.

N.B.:

For safety measures, Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas vessels in ballast or loaded, and loaded chemicals in bulk are included in the loaded tankers group.

(2) The northbound convoy has a free run from Port of Suez till Port Said. It passes through the East Kabrit channel, 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:

(a) Container vessels heading the convoy will drop anchor in the suitable East Anchorage Areas of the Bitter Lakes.

(b) Very Large Crude Carrier Ship's will anchor in the suitable East Anchorage according to their draught.

(c) All other vessels will anchor in the East Area corresponding to their draught.

(d) Three berths are available in Kabrit East Branch in case of emergency.

NOTE:

Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas in ballast or loaded, and chemicals loaded in bulk for safety measures, they are included in the Tankers Group.

B - SOUTHBOUND FIRST CONVOY (N1)

(1) Start from 0000 hrs to 0500 hrs and consists of 3 groups of vessels:

(a) Group A: Vessels in Port Said Harbour.
(b) Group B: Vessels anchored in the Northern Anchorage Area consisting of 4th Generation Containerships, 3rd Generation Containerships, Very Large Crude Carrier Ship's in ballast over 42 feet draught, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas, Non Gas Free vessels in ballast or loaded and Lighter Aboard Ship over 35.000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage This group will be
headed by the Containerships and the first vessel will enter through Port Said East Approach channel in due time to join Group A at Km. 17.
(c) Group C: Vessels anchored in Southern Anchorage Area will enter through Port Said West channel in due time to join Group B at Km. 17.

(2) This convoy has a free run to the Bitter Lakes, passes through the East branch of Ballah by-pass, the East channel of Lake Timsah, the Deversoir West channel and anchors in the Western Anchorage in Bitter Lakes.

(3) The Sequence of continue route from the Bitter Lakes will be Warships, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas vessels, the 4th Generation Containerships, 3rd Generation Containerships over 40.000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage and Lighter Aboard Ship over 35.000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage followed by Very Large Crude Carrier Ship'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)

(1) Starts from 0630 hrs to 0900 hrs. The forming and depth of this convoy is subject to situation of traffic and limit time.

(2) 3rd & 4th Generation Containerships with more than one propeller astern shall be ahead of this convoy to anchor at Timsah Lake (maximum two vessels).

(3) Vessels will make fast in Ballah West Branch and continue route after the last Northbound vessel clears Km. 61.

(4) Dimensions of vessels that can make fast at Ballah West Branch should not exceed 135 - 148 feet Beam & 42 - 38.4 - 42 feet Draught, excluding Tankers over 90000 Tons Suez Canal Gross Tonnage

(5) Vessels not allowed to join this convoy are the following:

(a) Loaded Tankers (or Bulk carriers) carrying Petroleum Grade A or similar substances (Flash point below 23° C or 73° F, ascertained by an open test or any equal degree of accuracy).

(b) Liquefied inflammable gas vessels (Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas, or similar Loaded or Ballast Non Gas Free vessels).

(c) Vessels not fitted with double bottom carrying chemicals in bulk.

(d) Vessels carrying Radioactive substance Group 1.

(e) Vessels carrying dangerous wastes.

(f) Heavy lifts carrying heavy lift units with tonnage exceeding the lifting capacity of their individual cranes.

(g) Vessels carrying deck cargo protruding.

(h) Vessels over 90000 tons Suez Canal Gross Tonnage

(I) Navy ships.