Transit fees through Egypt’s Suez Canal will be increased by up to 10 per cent from March 1, the waterway’s authority has confirmed.
The increase comes after a recent growth in global shipping in addition to extensive renovations that the 193-kilometre waterway is undergoing to improve navigability, the Suez Canal Authority said late on Sunday night.
In 12 separate announcements, the SCA issued a list of increases to be imposed on various classifications of ships which navigate the waterway.
A 5 per cent surcharge will be imposed on crude oil tankers, ships carrying petroleum goods and dry bulk vessels, the SCA said.
Additionally, the authority said a 7 per cent surcharge will be levied on vessels carrying liquefied natural gas, general cargo vessels, multipurpose, heavy-lift and multi-purpose heavy lift vessels. Roll-on/roll-off vessels, vehicle carriers and special floating units will also be subject to a 7 per cent surcharge.
However, the largest increase in fees, of 10 per cent, was announced for liquefied petroleum gas carriers and vessels transporting various kinds of chemicals.
The authority had announced in November that all transit fees through the canal would be increased by 6 per cent starting this month.
SCA chairman Admiral Osama Rabie said at the time that LNG vessels and cruise ships would be excluded from that increase because of their affiliation with two of Egypt’s most vital industries, tourism and natural gas.
The authority announced an ambitious plan to update portions of the canal after the Ever Given incident, when the 400-metre container ship ran aground in the waterway, blocking maritime traffic through the Suez for six days last March.
The incident caused millions of dollars in lost revenue and made international headlines for months.
More than 12 per cent of the world’s maritime traffic travels through the Suez Canal every year.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
