Abbreviations

Suez Canal is recorded that Egypt was the first country to dig a canal across its land with a view to activate world trade. The first canal was dug under the reign of SENAUSRET III, Pharao of Egypt (1887-1849 BC) linking the Mediterranean Sea in the north with the Red sea in the south via the river Nile and its branches.

Ports Info

Egyptian Ports Information

Here we provide some usefull information about the egyptian ports we deal with as well as some shipping abbreviations for the website visitors

Egyptian Ports

 

Suez Canal

The Suez Canal is considered to be the shortest link between the east and the west due to its unique geographic location; it is an important international navigation canal linking between the Mediterranean sea at Port said and the red sea at Suez. The idea of linking the Mediterranean sea with the red sea by a canal dates back to 40 centuries as it was pointed out through history starting by the pharaohs era passing by the Islamic era until it was dredged reaching its current condition today. It is considered to be the first artificial canal to be used in Travel and Trade. The Whole Idea of establishing a canal linking between the red sea and the Mediterranean dates back to the oldest times, as Egypt dredged the firs artificial canal on the planet’s surface. The pharaohs dredged a canal link in between river Nile and the red sea. This canal ran a while and then stopped until Muslims conquered Egypt under the leader ship of Amr-Ebn-El-Aas complying with the orders of Omar Ebn El Khattab. When the Portuguese discovered Ras El Raga El Saleh at the beginning of the 16th century the world trade movement changed making Egypt and Alexandria not considered the heart of it anymore.

Characteristics

Item Unit 1869 1956 1962 1980 1994 1996 2001 2008
Overall Length Km. 164 175 175 190.25 190.25 190.25 190.25 190.25
Doubled Parts Km. - 29 29 78 78 78 78 78
Width at 11 m. depth m. 44 60 90 160 180/210 180/210 200/210 210
Water depth m. 10 14 15.5 19.5 20.5 21 22.5 23.5
Max. Draft of Ship Feet 22 35 38 53 56 58 62 68
Cross Sectional Area m2 304 1100 1800 3600 3800/4300 3900/4500 4800 4800
Max. Tonnage (DWT) Ton 5000 30.000 80.000 150.000 180.000 185.000 210.000 210.000

Influence of the Suez Canal on World Trade

The geographical position of the Suez Canal makes it the shortest route between East and West as compared with the Cape of Good Hope. The Canal route achieves a saving in distance between the ports north and south the Canal, the matter that is translated into other savings in time, fuel consumption and ship operating costs as show in the table below

From To Distance (N. Miles) Saving %
S.C. CAPE
Ras Tanura Constantza 4.144 12.094 66
Lavera 4.684 10.783 57
Rotterdam 6.436 11.169 42
New York 8.281 11.794 30
Jeddah Piraeus 1.320 11.207 88
Bombay Rotterdam 6.337 10.743 41

Totals of Suez Canal

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Total Crossing Vessels (Vessel) 13986 13447 15667 16850 18193 18664 20384 21415 17228
-3.85% 16.51% 7.55% 7.9% 2.41% 9.22% 5.06% -19.6%
Net Tonnage (million tons) 456.1 444.8 549.4 621.2 671.8 742.7 848.2 910.1 734.5
-2.48% 23.52% 13.07% 8.15% 10.55% 14.20% 7.30% -19.3%
Number of Containers (Vesel) 4700 4549 5209 5928 6557 6974 7718 8156 6080
-3.21% 14.51% 13.80% 10.61% 6.36% 10.67% 5.68% -25.5%
Total Cargo Volume (million tons) 372.4 368.8 457.9 521 571.1 628.6 710.1 723 559.2
-0.97% 24.16% 13.78% 9.62% 10.07 12.97 1.82% -22.7%

 

Transit Guide Suez Canal northbound transit

Transit Guide Suez Canal southbound transit

 

 

 


 

Suez port

Coordinate

Long

32 o 34 / E

Lat

29 o 56 / N

 

Natural Characteristics

Weather

Prevailing winds are the north and the north west winds.

Water Density

1.04 g./cm3

Raining Season

winter

Tidal range and flow

1.2 m. to 2.1 m.

Port Description

Location

The port is located on the northern part of Suez Gulf on the southern gate of Suez Canal. it is bordered by an imaginery line extending from Adabiya to Oyoun Muosa . It includes the northern coast until Suez Canal entrance.

Geographical Overview

Ibrahim Dock

Bordered by an imaginary line extending between the two breakwaters.

Petroleum Dock

Bordered by an imaginary line extending 140 degrees from the extremity of the eastern breakwater until the western breakwater.

Ataka Port

TThe boundaries of Ataka Port are delimited by the port breakwaters. 
The water out of the boundaries of Ibrahim Dock, Petroleum Dock, Ataka Port, Adabiya Port and New Petroleum Bert is within the Suez Canal values.

Port Specifications

Water Area 158 km2 (158073000 m2)
(Including Suez, Adabiya, and Petroleum Dock).
Land Area 2.3 km2 (2314000 m2)
Total Warehouses Area 0.02 km2 (23976 m2)
Total Yards Area 0.005 km2.
Navigation channels length 1000 m
Navigation channels depth 12 m

The Maximum Capacity :

  • 6.6 million tons yearly
  • 1.5 million Passenger yearly
  • Maximum Ship Received Vessels with draft 8 m
  • Working Hours :Throughout 24 hours (in 3 shifts)

 

 


 

Alexandria port

Coordinate

Long

29 o 49 / E

Lat

31 o 08 / N

 

Natural Characteristics

Weather

Prevailing winds are North West.

Wind Scale

2-3 Beaufort (in summer), 3-4 Beaufort (in winter)

Water Density

1.030 g/cm3

Raining Season

Winter

Tidal range and flow

0.46 m.

Location

El-Dekheila port is a natural extension to Alexandria Port ; constructions started in 1980 and the port became operational in 1986 with the operation of the minerals berth. El-Dekheila port takes the place of the former El-Dekheila airport westward Alexandria port, 7 km. distanced from sea and 10 km. from land

Geographical Overview

The site is characterized by

  • A bay with high depths near the sea side, which lowers the decontamination cost. The north side is shallow and includes some small is lands serves in lowering the costs of breakwater when constructed.
  • A sandy region, which save debris and building costs.
  • Easy linking to the local ways (desert road Alexandria / Egypt ) and the railways.
  • Port location is near Dekheila Solid convention and the free zone and the project of Electricity Generation of West Alexandria. This location helps in saving transportation costs.
  • Existence of a railway lines which facilitates cargo transport for foreign trade.
  • The land area is suitable for any future development plan as well as any projects for establishing a logistics area

 

Port specifications

 

Total Area

6240000 sq.m. (approximately)

Water Area

2740000 sq.m.

Land Area

3500000 sq.m.

 

Maximum Capacity 22.1 million ton/year:

  • General Cargo: 10.2 million ton.
  • Dry Bulk: 3.4 million ton
  • Liquid Bulk: 3.5 million ton
  • Containerized Cargo: 5 million ton
  • TEU Capacity: 500000
  • Max. Ship Size: 168000 GRT
  • Max. Depth: 20 m
  • Working Hours: 24 hr. (scheduled time)

 

 


 

El-Dekheila port

Coordinate

Long

29 o 49 / E

Lat

31 o 08 / N

 

Natural Characteristics

Weather

Prevailing winds are North West.

Wind Scale

2-3 Beaufort (in summer), 3-4 Beaufort (in winter)

Water Density

1.030 g/cm3

Raining Season

Winter

Tidal range and flow

0.46 m.

Location

El-Dekheila port is a natural extension to Alexandria Port ; constructions started in 1980 and the port became operational in 1986 with the operation of the minerals berth. El-Dekheila port takes the place of the former El-Dekheila airport westward Alexandria port, 7 km. distanced from sea and 10 km. from land

Geographical Overview

The site is characterized by

  • A bay with high depths near the sea side, which lowers the decontamination cost. The north side is shallow and includes some small is lands serves in lowering the costs of breakwater when constructed.
  • A sandy region, which save debris and building costs.
  • Easy linking to the local ways (desert road Alexandria / Egypt ) and the railways.
  • Port location is near Dekheila Solid convention and the free zone and the project of Electricity Generation of West Alexandria. This location helps in saving transportation costs.
  • Existence of a railway lines which facilitates cargo transport for foreign trade.
  • The land area is suitable for any future development plan as well as any projects for establishing a logistics area

 

Port specifications

 

Total Area

6240000 sq.m. (approximately)

Water Area

2740000 sq.m.

Land Area

3500000 sq.m.

 

Maximum Capacity 22.1 million ton/year:

  • General Cargo: 10.2 million ton.
  • Dry Bulk: 3.4 million ton
  • Liquid Bulk: 3.5 million ton
  • Containerized Cargo: 5 million ton
  • TEU Capacity: 500000
  • Max. Ship Size: 168000 GRT
  • Max. Depth: 20 m
  • Working Hours: 24 hr. (scheduled time)

 

 


 

Damietta Port

Coordinate

Long

31 o 48 / E

Lat

31 o 23 / N

 

Natural Characteristics

Weather

Mild

Water Density

1.025 g/cm3

Raining Season

Autumn - winter

Tidal range and flow

0.61 m.

Location

Damietta Port is situated 10.5 km. west of the Nile river of Damietta branch westward Ras El-Bar, and 70 km. away from Port Said Port. The port installations extend on an area of 11.8 sq. Km. The port is bordered by an imaginary line connecting the eastern and western external breakwaters.

 

Geographical Overview

Entrance Channel

11.4 km. long, 15 m. deep, and 300 m. wide gradually decreasing to reach 250 m. at the breakwater fringe, the approach channel is bordered by 18 nightly-lit buoys.

Breakwaters

The western breakwater is 1640 m. long with 140 m. land-based and 1500 m. sea-based area. The eastern breakwater is 750 m. long with 200 m. land-based and 550m sea-based area. Both breakwaters are made of stacked artificial acrobod piles topped with a concrete head.

Barge Channel

The barge channel consists of two sections; one is 1350 m. long connecting the barge dock to the sea and the other is 3750 m. connecting the basin to the Nile branch. The barge dock area is 250x250 m comprising a 250 m. long, 5m. deep quay.

Turning Dock

The turning dock diameter is 500 m. with 14.5 m. depth at the container berth, and 12 m. depth at the general cargo berth.

Port specifications

Port Specifications

Total Area

11.8 km2.

Land Area

8.5 km2.

Water Area

3.3 km2.

Total Warehouses Area

0.1 km2 (142510 m2).

Total Yards Area

0.25 km2 (254231 m2).

Total Silos Area

0.09 km2 (98304 m2).

 

Maximum capacity 19.75 million tons annually,as follows:

  • 7 million ton (General Cargo)
  • 7.50 million ton (Dry Bulk)
  • 5.25 million tons containerized cargo.
  • TEU Capacity 1.2 million TEU
  • Max. Ship Size 14.5 m. draft-vessels
  • Working Hours Throughout 24 hours (in 3 shifts)

 

 


 

Port Said port

Coordinate

Long

32 o 18/ E

Lat

31 o 15 / N

 

Natural Characteristics

Weather

Mild.

Water Density

1.025 g/cm3

Raining Season

winter

Tidal range and flow

0.3 m.

Port Description

Location

Port Said port is situated on the Northern entrance of the Gulf of Suez. It is considered one of the main Egyptian ports due to its distinguished location at the crossroad of the most important world sea trade route between the East and Europe via Suez Canal, and the most extensive transshipment port in the world. 
The port is bordered, seaward, by an imaginary line extending 0.5 N.M. from the western breakwater boundary till the eastern breakwater end. And from the Suez Canal area, it is bordered by an imaginary line extending transversely from the southern bank of the Canal connected to Manzala Lake, and the railways arcade livestock.

Port Specifications

Total Area

3 km2 (3000895 m2).

Water Area

1.7 km2 (1733800 m2).

Land Area

1.3 km2 (1267095 m2).

Total Warehouse Area

90000 m2.

Container Yard Area

435000 m2.

Total Customs Zone

port boundaries

Cisterns Area

109473,4 m2..

Total Area Of General Cargo Storage Warehouses

0.05 km2.

 

Maximum Capacity 12.175 million tons / year as follows:

  • General Cargo: 4.9 million tons.
  • Dry bulk cargoes: 2.54 million tons.
  • Containerized cargo: 4.735 million tons.
  • The number of TEU: 800000 TEUs.
  • Passenger: 300000 passengers.
  • Container Voiding Rate: 25 containers/hrs.
  • Max. Ship Size: 13.2 m. draft-vessels.
  • Working Hours 24 hour daily

 

 


 

Arish Port

Coordinate

Long

33 o 49 / E

Lat

31 o 09 / N

 

Natural Characteristics

Weather

Mild

Raining Season

Winter

Tidal range and flow

0.15 – 0.65 m

Water Density

1.003 mm / cm3

 

Port Description

Location

El-Arish port is the only Mediterranean port at the north of Sinai. Until 1982, it was merely a fishing vessel berth lacking the least of facilities. Since 1987, developments were made to protect the port seawards, and to adapt it for fishing activities as well as cargo traffic and transits, crop exportation and different maritime sports, after executing the port development works.

Port Specifications

Total Area

230.000 m.sq

Water Area

180.000 m.sq

Land Area

50.000 m.sq

Total Yards Area

30.000 m.sq

 

1.2 million tons / year Detailed Data is as follows:

  • General Cargo: 1.21 million tons yearly.
  • Max. Ship Size: 8 m. draft-vessels
  • Working Hours: 24 hrs. divided to 3 shifts

 

 


 

Adabiya port

Coordinate

Long

32 o 29 / E

Lat

29 o 52 / N

 

Natural Characteristics

Weather:

prevailing winds are north and north west

Water Density:

1.04 g/cm3

Raining Season:

winter

Tidal range and flow:

1.2 m. to 2.1 m.

Location

Adabiya port is situated on the western coast of Suez Gulf, and is 17 km. away from Suez City. It consists of 9 berths with estimate length of 1840 m. and draft between 27 and 42 feet.

Water Area

158 km2 (158073000 m2)(Including Suez, Adabiya And Petroleum Docks)

Land Area

0.8 km2 (854000 m2)

 

Maximum Capacity 7.93 Million Tones Yearly:

  • 5.13 million ton (General cargo).
  • 2.8 million ton (Dry Bulk).
  • Working Hours: Throughout 24 hours (in 3 shifts).

 

 


 

Safaga Port

Coordinate

Long

33 o 57 / E

Lat

26 o 44 / N

 

Natural Characteristics

Weather

Prevailing winds are north west and south east

Water Density

1.04 g./cm3

Raining Season

Winter

Tidal range and flow

1.2 m. to 2.1 m.

 

Port Description

Location

The port is located in the Red Sea Governorate on the western coast of the Red Sea. It is a broad bay (natural gulf) on a distance of 60 km. South of Hurgada and on a distance of 225 nm. South of Suez port. This broad bay is naturally protected from the east and the north sides by Safaga Island, and protected from the prevailing western winds by mountains. Yet, for a brief interval, it is affected by south winds (El-Azeeb) which causes disturbances and waves inside the port . The port drafts are deep, thus enabling the accommodation of large vessels.

Port Specifications

Total Port Area

57 km2 (56968000 m2)

Water Area

56.5 km2 (56490000 m2 )

Land Area

0.5 km2 (478000 m2)

Total Warehouses Area

15000 sq. m.

Total Yards Area

160000 sq. m.

 

Maximum Capacity 6.37 million tons/year as follows :

  • 2.2 million tons (General Cargo)
  • 4.17 .million tons (dry bulk)
  • 750000 passengers
  • Max Ship Depth that can be accommodared reaches 14m.
  • Working Hours:Throughout 24 hours

*Shipping Abbreviations

AA

Always Afloat

AAAA

Always Afloat

 Always Accessible

AAPA

the American

 Association of Port

 Authorities

AARA

Amsterdam-

Antwerpen-

Rotterdam Area

ABS

American Bureau of

Shipping

ABT

ABouT

ADCOM

ADress COMission

AFSPS

Arrival First Sea Pilot

Station ( Norway)

AGW

All Going Well

A/H

Anchor Handling

AHT

AnchorHandling Tug

ALU

ALUminium

ANTHAM

ANTwerp-HAMburg

range

APS

Arrival Pilot Station

ARAG

Amsterdam-

Rotterdam-Antwerp-

Gent range

ASPW

Any Safe Port in the

World

ATDNSHINC

Any Time Day/Night

Sundays and

Holidays INCluded

ATUTC

Actually Time Used

To Count

A/S

AlongSide

B

Bale (cargo

 capacity)

BAF

Bunker adjusting

 factor (freight)

Bb

Bareboat

BBB

Before Breaking

 Bulk

BDI

Both Dates Inclusive

BE

Both Ends ( Load

 and discharge

 ports)

BEG

BEGinning

BENDS

Both Ends ( Load

 and discharge

 ports)

BI

Both Inclusive.

BIMCO

The Baltic and

 International

 Maritime Conference

BL

BaLe

B/N

Booking Note

BOB

Bunker On Board

Box

everyday term for

 container (or boxed

vessel)

Br

Breadth

BHP

Brake Horse Power

BMM

British Marine Mutual

Br.ld.

Break load

BRGDS

Best ReGarDS

BROB

Bunkers Remaining

On Board

Brt

Gross tonnage

B S S 1/1

Basis 1 port to 1

 port

BT

Berth Terms

BV

Bureau Veritas

BWAD

Brackish Water

 Arrival Draft

CAF

Currency adjusting

factor (freight)

CAP

Condition

 Assessment

 Programme

Cap

Capacity

CBFT

CuBic FeeT

C/C

sshinC/sshinC

ce Ta

Center Tank

CFT

Cubic FeeT

CFR

Cost and FReight

Chem

Chemical

CHOPT

CHarterer's OPTion

CIF

Costs Insurance and

Freight

CIP

Carriage and

 Insurance paid to.....

CIRR

Commercial Interest

Reference Rate

CLC

Civil Liability

 Convention

COA

Contract Of

 Affreightment

COACP

Contract Of

 Affreightment

 Charter Party

COBLDN

Closing Of Business

LoDoN

COGSA

Carriage of Goods

by Sea Act

CONT

CONTainer

COW

Crude Oil Washing

C/P

CharterParty

CPT

Carriage Paid To

CPD

Charterers Pay

 Dues

CQD

Customary Quick

 Despatch

COD

Cash On Delivery

COP

Custom Of Port

CR

Current Rate

Cr

Crane

CROB

Cargo Remaining

 OnBoard

CST

CentiSToke

CUFT

CUbicFeeT

Cy

Cylinders

C/X

sshinC / ssheX

D/A

Disbursement

 Account

DAF

Delivered At Frontier

DAP

Days All Purposes

 (Total days for

 loading and disch.)

Dbl