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