04 Nov Suez Tightens Transit Rules For Ageing Ships
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has introduced mandatory inspections and trials for vessels aged 25 years and older.
The new regulations, already effective, require vessels to undergo a comprehensive inspection and trials before securing permission to transit the canal, with all applicable fees payable in advance.
Vessels returning within six months of their last inspection will be exempt from repeating the procedure, provided no defects, breakdowns or adverse technical observations have been recorded.
The requirements come as the global merchant fleet reaches unprecedented levels of ageing tonnage, with more than 150m gt of shipping now aged 25 years or older, up 75% in five years, while a record 68m gt has passed 30 years.
The new Suez requirements apply across vessel types. Shipowners and agents will need to factor the additional checks into voyage planning, particularly for vessels operating irregular schedules. The authority has not specified inspection fees or how long the process will take.
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