Suez canal SHIPPING AGENCY , Suez canal Agents , Suez Canal transit Guide

Seabird shipping agency through its main head office at Alexandria , Port Said and Suez port is your reliable partner for Suez Canal transit coordination. We are well positioned to ensure a smooth and prompt transit for your vessels.

Seabird shipping agency handles all types and sizes of vessels for Suez Canal transit.

Seabird shipping agency can also handle Owners requirements including stores, bunkers, fresh water and any other technical services required during transit.

Seabird also undertake shipping agency work at all Egyptian ports and for details please click here Seabird Shipping Agency

Seabird Shipping Agency Egypt represents many ship owners calling at all Egyptian ports. With our well connected network and carefully selected partners, you are assured to receive competence, courteousness and dedication to meet all your requirements.

Seabird Shipping Agency handles all types and sizes of vessels and attends to Owners requirements for Suez Canal transit including stores, bunkers, fresh water and other technical services required.

Our activities in the Suez Canal zone and Egyptian ports started in 1924 by supplying steam coal in Port Said. As the shipping industry and the number of transits increased the canal transit clearance service was added.

SeaBird Suez offers swift and secure transit services for your vessel through the Suez Canal, and a professional handling of your port calls and bunkering operations in Egypt

These services are provided by our head office is in Oslo, and our 4 local offices in Egypt in Cairo, Port Said, Alexandria and Suez. Your one point of communication will be through Oslo.

Over the past few years we have teamed up with other agents in the following countries: Turkey, Iran, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa and Namibia. Please visit the www.seabird-marine.com website for further information about bunkers price, port call cost calculators, port information and relevant news from the respective areas.

For SeaBird Suez Transit quality means satisfying the customer’s requirements and expectations. The ISO 9001:2000 Certification of our quality system, contributes to reaching these objectives. Furthermore SeaBird Suez Transit Ltd have a Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) coverage through ITIC.

Our comprehensive web site can provide you with all the information you need when either transiting the Suez Canal or calling at any Egyptian port.


Seabird is a ship agency dealing exclusively with canal transits and port calls in Egypt. Our activities in the Suez Canal zone and Egyptian ports started in 1924 by supplying steamcoal in Port Said.As the shipping industry and the number of transits increased the canal transit clearance service was added. SeaBird Suez offers swift and secure transit services for your vessel through the Suez Canal, and a professional handling of your port calls and bunkering operations in Egypt These services are provided by our head office is in Oslo, and our 4 local offices in Egypt in Cairo, Port Said, Alexandria and Suez. We also established a Rep. Office in Shanghai during the summer of 2001 to meet the increasing demand for our services from Chinese and other Far Eastern clients. Your one point of communication will be through Oslo. SeaBird are ISO 9001:2000 certified and we are covered by a protection and indemnity insurance through ITIC of London.


SERVICES:

Bunker Supply
Crew Change
Forwarding and Clearing
Offshore Installation Attendance
Protecting Agency
Ship Agency
STS Operations
Transit Agency

Services :

	Cash to Master :	Available
	Dangerous Cargo :	Available
	Dirty Ballast reception :	Available by barge
	Fumigation :	Available
	Grain fitting :	Available
	Hold cleaning :	Available
	Lightening :	Available
	Petroleum residues :	Available by barge
	Provision/Stores :	Available through SeaBird Ship Supply
	Sludge removal :	Available
	Spare Parts :	Available through Unitor
	Storage facilities :	200 000 square meters of open storage facilities and 7500 square meters of warehousing. Stacking area for containers (Abbas basin area) Grain silo. Free port area approx 1 mill sq meters
	Waste reception :	Available
	Fresh water :	Fresh water available by barge alongside Inner harbour (min.100ts) USD 12/ts Outer anchorage area (min.100ts) USD 14/ts
	Tugs	20 tugs ranging from 320 hp to 400 hp available

Bunkering :
	Supplier(s) :	Copetrole, Misr Petroleum, ExxonMobil, Caltex
	Bunker Notice :	48 hours
	Bunker Quantity :	200 mt min
	Bunker Surveyor :	Available
	Barge Fixed Charge :	100 usd for qt less than 50 mt
	Barge Capacity :	500mt-1500mt
	Barge Availability :	Approximately nine barges available
	Barge Pump Capacity :	300 - 500 tph

	Bunker Before Port Operation :
	Bunker During Port Operation :
	Bunker After Port Operation :

Ship supply services

SeaBird's Ship Supply Services (SSS) is the most efficient way to arrange crew changes and supplies of spares and provisions to vessels. Using the SeaBird fleet of purpose-built, fast, air-conditioned supply and crew launches, it operates round-the-clock from bases in the U.A.E., Oman, Galle (Sri Lanka), Singapore and Nigeria.

In the UAE, SeaBird is the only provider of certified ISM supply-vessels and

Trouble-free Transits

Suez Canal
SeaBird is on the spot in the Suez Canal as the reliable intermediary for transit co-ordination, funds transfer and efficient communication. With local offices in Port Said and Suez Port, SeaBird is positioned to ensure a smooth and prompt transit

Freight Contracting

Through the operating company, Brobulk Ltd., SeaBird offers dry cargo freight coverage. Brobulk Ltd. is a well-established ship operator running chartered tonnage primarily in the 20,000-52,000 DWT range.

Brobulk is a full service company offering trading companies and other charterers the opportunity to outsource their bulk and break-bulk ocean freight requirements to an organisation with significant maritime expertise and financial stability.

Besides port-to-port ocean freight cover, Brobulk offers a range of value-added services for principals with more extensive needs, by aligning its in-house chartering capability with SeaBird's logistics skills and local know-how, to offer total packages:- Brobulk is able to combine ocean freight, port agency, stevedoring, customs clearance and inland transport to final destinations, using through bills of lading where required.

Available for both single and multiple cargoes, these facilities can be further combined with additional ship/shore services, such as pre-carriage, cargo surveying and bagging.

Given Brobulk's strong understanding of the bulk cargo markets, we can combine SeaBird's worldwide network with our own supercargoes to deliver superior performance in almost any location. Besides possessing the local expertise, it is Brobulk's priority to establish close working relationships with the relevant local authorities, and the shipping and transportation industries, in all locations - wherever you go.

Services provided by Brobulk include:

Dry cargo bulk and break-bulk transport management in shipment sizes of 10,000-70,000 MT
Forward freight cover in single shipments and contracts
Ocean freight feasibility studies
Integrated bulk transport solutions
Commercial management of vessels and cargo

Target Markets

From super tankers to cruise vessels, SeaBird Shipping has the expertise and
resources to address all your shipping needs.

We work with customers to provide tailor-made and cost-efficient solutions
regardless of the vessel type, cargo, origin or destination.

SeaBird logistics

SeaBird Logistics, the freight forwarding and distribution arm of the SeaBird Group, specialises in a comprehensive range of supply chain and logistics solutions. These include air and sea freight, warehousing and distribution, door-to-door transportation, project logistics, international moving and courier services.

SeaBird Logistics operates an integrated worldwide network, serving international manufacturers, distributors and retailers from the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), textiles, pharmaceutical, automotive, electronics and oil & gas industries.

Sea Freight (NVOCC)

Cargo Gulf is SeaBird's branded NVOCC (Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier) consolidation services for cargo between Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.

For LCL shipments (Less than Full Container Load), CargoGulf operates a weekly consolidation container to destinations around the world, which is widely known for its time bound delivery. Cargo Gulf also assists customers for FCL (Full Container Load) shipments.

Using only the most reliable liner services, Cargo Gulf’s operations are supported by SeaBird’s advanced IT system, providing Seabird and timely information between points of origin and destination.

Issuing its own carrier Bill of Lading means Cargo Gulf is in a position to control the cargo door-to-door. As one of the largest NVOCC freight buyers in the world, Cargo Gulf is able to pass on competitive rates to its Clients.

A registered member with the US Federal Maritime Commission, customers can be assured of Cargo Gulf’s complete compliance to its requirements.

Warehousing & Distribution

SeaBird Logistics has established a long-standing leadership record in warehouse design, management and operations.

Our state-of-the-art facilities across the Middle East and Asia house several of the world’s top brands from a wide spectrum of industries.

Through providing shared resources and centralised warehousing, we enable you to reduce your capital investment, allowing a flexible response to market demands. Savings can also be made by co-ordinating production runs with no under- or overstocking of inventory.

SeaBird Logistics Distribution Centre in Dubai
Strategically located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, the SeaBird Distribution Centre is the largest facility in the Middle East, with its sophisticated warehousing, web-enabled inventory management systems and world-class ISO9002 operations resources.

The design features of the SeaBird Distribution Centre include:

Web enabled
Inventory management systems,
Supporting complete stock management
Supply chain visibility

Marshalling and access space throughout the facility to reduce bottlenecks and expedite flow of goods

Capacity to handle a high number of product lines from a multi-customer base, using high bay, mobile, palletised, shelved and bulk storage solutions

Automation to maximise utilisation of space

Specialised warehousing with temperatures ranging from ambient to cool (+18C.), to frozen (-30C.)

Indonesia
SeaBird Samudera Logistics (GSL), a joint venture between the SeaBird Group and the Samudera Indonesia Group, has a state-of-the art common user distribution centre in Indonesia. Strategically located in Lippo Cikarang in the Bekasi district, east of Jakarta, the facility occupies a total of 22,300 square metres and offers a capacity of 34,000 pallet positions. It is designed to handle fast, multiple product throughput with cutting edge technology including:

Latest mechanical handling equipment
Advanced logistics and warehousing management systems
Multimodal transportation capabilities and systems
Products flow throughout to eliminate bottlenecks and improve speed
Space optimisation through modern high-bay racking systems
Computerised inventory management systems supporting e-commerce and EDI applications
Temperature controlled chambers
Capabilities to manage storage and handling of food, non foods, sensitive and other valuable products

SeaBird Logistics other warehousing and distribution centres are located in the Philippines, Qatar, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia.

SeaBird Marine Logistics

SeaBird Marine Logistics (GML) was established in 2003 with the specific purpose of offering ship owners and management companies an integrated “door-to-deck” global logistics service for ship spares and marine parts.

GML’s specialised supply chain management service is aimed at providing ship owners, ship management companies, ship builders, and spares suppliers end-to-end solution which is time and cost efficient, even during times of emergency or crisis.

Leveraging the group’s combined infrastructure and expertise in ship agency, marine and offshore support as well as logistics service, GML offers a seamless single-source service – time-definite “door-to-deck” delivery or in reverse for landed parts.

Depending on customers’ requirements, GML offers the flexibility in transport modes and has the resources to design the most economical solution. GML takes responsibility for the entire supply chain, ensuring complete peace of mind.

By centralising the information and operation through either of its key operations centres, customers can enjoy total control over delivery of ship spares and marine parts. At all times customers can monitor the progress of their orders via GML’s purpose designed web tracking system.

GML puts the muscle of the SeaBird Group’s entire global network at customers’ disposal – providing world-class service to and from more than 1,000 locations worldwide.

Download our General Agency Service in Egypt Offer

A. Arrival Notices :
For Northbound or Southbound Transit, MASTER, should be 5 days 48/24/12 Hours prior to Arrival Notice to:
Atlas Marine Services Co. S.A.E.
The master should also give the full particulars of the vessel, including Ex. name (if applicable), Date of last transit, SCNRT/SCGRT as per Suez Canal Certificate. Also details of any Cargo on board, including the IMO class (if any), last and next ports of call. In case of no modification to the vessel since last transit, Master to state "PARTICULARS NOCHANGE" At the same time mentioning whether there is a light projector on board. Furthermore, any master's and/or vessels requirement should be cabled to ATLAS MARINE SRVICES PORT SAID.

B. Arrival Registration :
To avoid missing convoys and/or delays, Master, on arrival should immediately contact the pilot by VHF:
1. CHANNELS 12 & 16 AT PORT SAID.
2. CHANNELS 14 & 16 SUEZ.
ATLAS have a constant watch on all the above channels in order to follow the vessels arrival and assist the master when necessary. Also master can phone us Via Port-Said Radio Ch. 16.

C. Signal Hoists :
On arrival to Port Said or Suez, a vessel is required to show the following flags:
1. PILOT SIGNAL.
2. CALL LETTERS.
3. QUARANTINE FLAG.
4. IMMIGRATION SIGNAL, flags TP by day, or ED LIGHT above two WHITE LIGHTS by night
5. THE SIGNAL required by Suez Canal Authority regulation to denote the nature of any Dangerous Cargo on Board.

D. Convoys:
1. PORT SAID - S.B.
1.a. THE FIRST starts at 01:00 hours, until 05:00 hours with an arrival limit of 19:00 hours.
1.b. THE SECOND starts at 07:00 hours, until 09:00 hours, with arrival limit of 03:00 hours.
2. Suez - N.B.
There is ONE CONVOY starting at 05:00 hours with arrival limit of 01:00 hours for big container vessels, VLCC'S ULCC'S, Super tankers, Heavy Bulk carriers, L.P.G. & L.N.G. and vessels with draft over 38 feet. For Cargo and any other types of vessels, the arrival limit is 03:00 hours.
3. For vessels prospect to arrive AFTER LIMIT TIME, please contact us 24 hours before arrival. For up-to-date information and to enable vessel not to miss convoy.
4. Transit Speed is normally 14 kilometers per hour, except loaded VLCC'S LPG, LNG, loaded tankers and heavy bulk carriers where the speed during northbound transit is 13 kph

E. Booking Convoys:
Due to the increase in Canal traffic, priority will be given to vessels notifying the S.C.A (Suez Canal Authority) 5 days in advance of the intended transit, provided the vessel arrives within the time limits stipulated. A fine is imposed by the S.C.A. if the vessel does not transit on the notified date, therefore it is imperative to alter or cancel any such notification at least 24 hours in advance.

F. Documents Required on Vessel's Arrival:
1. The Suez Canal Special Tonnage Certificate.
2. The General Arrangement.
3. The Capacity Plan.
4. The Engine Room Plan.
5. Full Manifests of the Cargo on board the ship should be submitted to the Authorities prior passage.
6. For all vessels of UP TO 2000 Suez Canal Gross Tonnage the original Safety Construction Certificate is required to be submitted prior transiting the Canal, otherwise a Seaworthiness Certificate should be issued in place. Vessel transiting for THE FIRST TIME is inspected by the Suez Canal Surveyors; Masters are to handle three Photostat copies of the above (1-4) certificates/Plans to S.C.A. for the ship's file. In absence of Suez Canal Certificate, S.C.A. will charge tolls based, on the GRT of the vessel, until such time a Certificate is on board and the vessel is measured.

G. Ships Dimensions for Transiting the Canal:
For up-to-date information and permissible drafts/beams for any vessel, please contact one of our offices.

H. Mooring Ropes:
The Suez Canal Authority's Regulations stated that:
At Least 6 FLEXIBLE Mooring Ropes of appropriate size for the vessel, in good condition, fitted with SPLICED EYES, must be in readiness for any emergency, at suitable points on deck. For vessels equipped with tension mooring lines, likely to produce sparks by their manipulation is absolutely forbidden on board petroleum tankers, LPG or LNG or any vessel carrying inflammable substances.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT:
1. One of the ropes which is selected as "First line ashore" must be of floating material to ensure quick securing to the shore.
2. Wires should not exceed 5.5 circumferences to facilitate handling.
3. ALL VESSELS SHOULD HAVE:
Two fire ropes (wire) made fast one forward and one aft., humph over the vessel's side ready for use in case of emergency.

I. Mooring Boats:
VESSELS Transiting the Canal must have MOORING BOATS hired from Mooring Company and APPROVED by the Suez Canal Authority.
This mooring boats must be in constant readiness for lowing to run the ropes to the to the MOORING SPOSTS without any delay during the transit of the vessel.
In case of no mooring boats from the Said Company are available, SHIP'S BOATS if suitable for mooring in the Canal can be used and must be manned by shore crew, hired from the same mooring company. Each boat is to be manned by three men.
Ships may ask for additional motorboats or mooring boats according to master's request.
Ships must be fitted with lifting appliances capable for lifting mooring boats of 4 tons weight.

J. Projector (Searchlights):
Projector are compulsory transit and normally hired from the local company, LPG & LNG tankers should be equipped with own projectors conform to the Suez Canal Authority's rule of Navigation, and that said projector should be gastight. It is also recommended by the S.C.A. that all vessels having a bulbous also have their own projector fitted on board.

K. Pilot - Escort & Fines:
1. The S.C.A.'s regulations state that, it is compulsory to have a pilot onboard for transit changes of bith, entering or leaving Canal (or ports) and for any movement whatsoever. Failure to comply with this regulation will face heavy fines as S.C.A. rules.
2. Vessels facing Accident, groundings, listings, steering, problems, engine defects, etc., whilst transiting the Canal, may attract an escort tug, imposed by S.C.A.
3. Vessels unable to maintain the minimum transiting speed will be placed at the end of the convoy and/or may attract an escort tug, as well as extra tools or even miss the convoy.

L. Reductions Granted by S.C Authority:
For up-to-date information and rules, please contact us.

M. Change Crew, Spare Parts Parcels:
Bunkering, Provisions and any Ship's Supplies:
Please contact us for up to date information.

N. For Loading/Discharging Operations:
At any EGYPTIAN PORTS, please contact us for latest information and facilities available.

O. Suez Canal Characteristics:
Overall length 192 kms
From Port Said to Ismailia 78 kms
From Ismailia to Port Tawfik 84 kms
Breadth at water level 300 m
Breadth Between buoys 180 m
Maximum permissible draught of ships 53 ft
Depth of the Canal 19.5/20 m
Gross Sectional area 3600 m

P. Navigation in the Suez Canal:
* Navigation in the Suez Canal is around the clock.
* The Canal is a single lane Canal. Interspersed with four passing points.
* Ships transit the Canal, in Convoys. There are three convoys daily:
from Port Said: 0100
from Port Said: 0700
from Suez : 0600
* Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 300 tons.
* Two Roads pilots and two Canal pilot board the vessel and operate in successive sectors from the first light buoy at the port of entry to the last light buoy at the port of exit.
* A speed limit is imposed in the Canal. This varies between 11km/h and 16km/h depending on the category and tonnage of the vessel. In the Southern Sector, it varies between 11km/h and 16km/h depending on the velocity and direction of the tidal current.

* The average transit time is 14 hours.

SUEZ CANAL TRANSIT

The agency department at SeaBird calculates Suez Canal tolls and / or performs D /A (disbursement account) to those who request such a service. SeaBird studies whether the client’s vessel can obtain a rebate on her voyage or not. In case of a possible rebate, SeaBird will send a rebate form to be filled out; alternatively the client can send the needed information, which will be passed on to the Suez Canal long haul department on behalf of client.

Suez Canal arrival procedures and ETA notice:
For Northbound or Southbound Transit, the Master must send 5 days prior to arrival and 48/24/12 hours before actual arrival notice by cable telex or fax to SeaBird.

The master is expected to inform SeaBird’s team with vessel's full specifics; ex- name(s) of vessel, last transit date (if any) and SCNRT/SCGRT as per Suez Canal Certificate. Details of cargo on board/deck cargo (if any) is also essential data; IMO class (if any), previous and coming ports of call, if any passengers / stowaways on board. To avoid missing convoys and/or delays, the master of the vessel should send the exact time of arrival (ETA) to SeaBird and port pilot by VHF: CHANNELS 12 & 16 AT PORT SAID, CHANNELS 14 & 16 SUEZ

Documents required on vessel’s arrival:
1. The Suez Canal special tonnage certificate
2. The general arrangement plan
3. The capacity plan
4. The engine room plan
5. Full manifests of the cargo on board the ship should be submitted
to the authorities prior to passage

As for the vessels that are transiting for the first time, they must be inspected by the Suez Canal surveyors. The masters handle three Photostat copies of the above (1-4) certificates/Plans to S.C.A. for the ship's file.

Limit time for vessel’s arrival to join the convoys:

1. PORT SAID - THE FIRST SOUTHBOUND CONVOY (0100 HRS) - N1
A- Large container vessel, VLCCS, heavy bulk carriers and loaded vessels with draft over 42 feet have to reach south of lat. 31' 28''.7 N within the limit time of 1900 hrs L.T. as it is allowed for them to join, only, the first southbound convoy (N1) of 0100 hrs
B- Cargo vessels and other types of vessels reaching within the limit time of 1900 hrs will also join the first southbound convoy (N1) of 0100 hrs
C- Ships arriving from 1900 till 2100 hrs may join the 1st southbound convoy (N1) against an additional charge of 3% of transit tolls with a maximum of SDR 7000
D- Ships arriving after 2100 until 2200 hrs can also join 1st southbound convoy (N1) against an additional charge of 5% of transit tolls with a maximum of SDR 10500

2. PORT SAID - THE SECOND SOUTHBOUND CONVOY (0630 HRS) - N2
A- Vessels have to reach south of lat. 31' 28''.7 N within the limit time of 0300 hrs to join the 2nd southbound convoy (N2) at 0630 hrs
B- Ships arriving from 0300 hrs till 0400 hrs may join the 2nd southbound convoy (N2) against additional charge of 3% of transit tolls with a maximum of SDR 7000
C- Ships arriving after 0400 hrs until 0500 hrs can join the 2nd southbound convoy (N2) against an additional charge of 5% of transit tolls with a maximum of SDR 10500

The following vessels are not allowed to join the second of southbound convoys:

1 - Loaded tankers (or bulk carriers) carrying petroleum flash point below 23 degrees centigrade
2- LPG - LNG loaded or in ballast
3- Vessels not fitted with double bottom carrying chemicals in bulk
4- Vessels carrying radioactive substances group 1
5- Vessels is carrying dangerous wastes
6- Navy ship
7- Vessels carrying heavy lift units with tonnage exceeding the lifting capacity of their individual cranes
8- Vessels over 90000 tons SCNT
9- Vessels having draught over 42 feet
10- Vessels carrying deck cargo protruding more than half the vessel's breadth on any side with a maximum of 15 meters on each side if breadth exceeds 30 meters

3. SUEZ - THE NORTHBOUND CONVOY STARTS (0600 HRS) ONE CONVOY ONLY
A- Large container vessels, VLCCS, ULCCS, heavy bulk carriers and loaded vessels with draft over 38 feet:
1. Have to reach north of lat.29'42''.8 N within the limit time of 0100 hrs to join the northbound convoy of 0600 hrs
2. Ships arriving from 0100 hrs to 0300 hrs may join the convoy against an additional charge of 3% of transit tolls with a maximum of SDR 7000
3. Ships arriving from 0300 hrs until 0330 hrs can join also the convoy against an additional charge of 5% of transit tolls with a maximum of SDR 10500
B- Cargo vessels with a draft less than 38 feet and less than 40,000 TS SCN:
1. Have to reach north of lat.29'48''.33 N within the limit time of 0300 hrs to join the northbound convoy the same day
2. Ships arriving from 0300 hrs until 0400 hrs can join the convoy against an additional charge of 3% of transit tolls with a maximum of SDR 7000
3. Ships arriving from 0400 hrs until 0500 hrs can join the convoy against an additional charge of 5% of transit tolls with a maximum of SDR 10500

Any further information or clarifications required can be obtained by
contacting SeaBird

Suez Canal Transit

Suez Canal Services

SUEZ CANAL TRANSIT

Ship supply services

Download our General Agency Service in Egypt Offer

Suez Canal Transit Guide

General Information
For Vessels to
Transit the Suez Canal

Communication During Transit

Signal Hoists

SUEZ CANAL TRANSIT

Suez Canal Transit

Suez Canal Services

SUEZ CANAL TRANSIT

Ship supply services

Download our General Agency Service in Egypt Offer

Suez Canal Transit Guide

General Information For Vessels to Transit the Suez Canal

Communication During Transit

Signal Hoists

SUEZ CANAL TRANSIT

General Information
For Vessels to
Transit the Suez Canal