The terminal can accept vessels with a draught of 14.5 metres, and with dredging, this will be taken down to 16 metres. SCCT is in discussions with the port authority and the Ministry of Transport on how best to implement the new side channel said Robert Hambleton of SCCT. “All it will take is laying out a line of buoys to get started,” he told Port Strategy.
However, Mr Hambleton also pointed out that people are often under the misapprehension that SCCT’s operation has suffered from being at the mouth of the Suez.
In fact, ships calling to SCCT have taken advantage of a special standing as far as transit is concerned, claims Mr Hambleton. “Whereas ships heading into the canal from, say the Ports of Malta, Damietta or Piraeus have to put to anchor four or five hours before the convoy starts, vessels loading or unloading with us are treated as if already at anchor – and these just slip in on the back of the existing convoy as it goes through.”
That said, Mr Hambleton adds: “The new channel will be the icing on the cake for SCCT.”
