Page 71 - Rules of Navigation2020

CHAPTER III

CONVOY SYSTEM -MAXIMUM DIMENSIONS

TOWAGE AND ESCORTING

SECTION I
CONVOY SYSTEM

Art. 49 - Formations of Convoys:

Two main convoys system is applied in the Suez Canal.
A- Northbound Convoy:

(1) Starts at hr 0400 till hr 0830 at Km. 160 and consists of one group of vessels .
(1)
a) Vessels ahead of the convoy:

Warships, Passenger Ships, Car Carriers, RoRo, Containerships with a tonnage over
60000 SC.G.T. or draught over 42 ft., vessels and tankers in ballast with a tonnage
over 60000 SC.G.T .

b) Vessels at the tail of the convoy:
L.P.G and L.N.G vessels loaded or ballast-N.G.F, tankers and bulk cargo vessels

with draught over 44 ft.
(2) Northbound convoy has a free run from Suez till Port-Said. The first vessel ahead of

this convoy regulates her speed to meet the last vessel from southbound convoy at
Ballah station (k.m. 54.770).
(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) Containerships heading the convoy will drop anchor in the suitable Eastern
Anchorage Areas of the Bitter Lakes.
b) VLCC’s will anchor in the suitable Eastern Anchorage according to their draught.
c) All other vessels will anchor in the Eastern Area corresponding to their draught.

B- Southbound Convoy:

(2)
(3)
(1) Starts from hr 0330 to hr 0800 and consists of 3 groups of vessels as follows:
a) Group A:
Vessels anchored in the Northern Anchorage Area consisting of Containerships of

draught over 42 ft., VLCC’s, ULCC’s in ballast over 42 feet draught, L.P.G., L.N.G.

1 ) A group (early group) may enter the Canal from Suez before hr 0400 according to traffic situation. Which
drops anchor in G.B.L. then join tail of the convoy later.
2 ) Starting time depends on traffic form.
3 ) A group (early group) may enter the Canal from Port Said before hr 0330 according to traffic situation. This
group will drop anchor in G.B.L., and then join tail of the convoy later.

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