Suez Canal Transit Costs

[Mr Cassandra]

It's now ticked off my Bucket List, but diving the Thistlegorm is still on. But not for much longer!!!

There may be some unrest in Cairo but you would not know that in Port Said, the Suez (Ismailia & Port Suez) and here in Hurghada. As for visiting Israel that can be done via the Gulf of Aqaba (along with Aqaba, Jordan) without any real issues. From there you can visit Jerusalem and Petra.

Hello I would like to say thanks for the information,very good post
cheers bobt

 

[miyagimoon]

It's now ticked off my Bucket List.

So is swimming with DOLPHINS!!!

 

[ffiill]

How much to transit the Suez Canal -Whatever the somali pirates charge in ransom to release you alive and intact!

 

[Sybaris]

How much to transit the Suez Canal -Whatever the somali pirates charge in ransom to release you alive and intact!

Oh really? What are the Somali pirates doing up in Egypt?

 

[davo99]

It's now ticked off my Bucket List, but diving the Thistlegorm is still on. But not for much longer!!!

Thistlegorm is immense

 

[Terra-Loon]

Theres a far canal joke here somewhere....

Haven't seen one of them on here yet.

Haven't seen an "I work for Cunard too" joke on here yet either.

 

[affinite]

OK so the jokes about Somali fees are 1000 miles south of the mark but do you really think its advisable to cruise the (far) Eastern Med these days ? Since my previous post Egypt seems to be sliding further downhill.
I would love to visit the Levant and go on thru the canal bu the unstability of the area concerns me.

Then again my boats in Greece at present

 

[penfold]

The intifada is exclusively around Gaza, Syria doesn't have a big coastline and most of the unrest in Egypt is centred in Cairo; unless you deliberately seek out the troublespots you won't notice much if anything.

 

[homer]

We came through in October 2012.
Port Said - obtaining visas took 2 days. Costs (for 2 people and an 11.5 metre yacht) were:-
Visitors visas $50 (odd that it is $15 each at the airport)
8 months extension + re-entry visas $50
Canal fees $208 (depends on hull volume, includes pilotage)
Insurance and quarantine $10
Agent’s fees $100
Mooring fees (4 nights) $105 ($21 for any part of a day so 4 nights = 5 days)
Baksheesh for pilots/marina staff $10
TOTAL for 2 people $563

Ismalia/Port Suez:-
Costs for 3 nights Ismalia and 6 nights Port Suez 9 x $21 = $189
Baksheesh for pilots 2 x $10 =$20

You will then need a cruising permit :-
It took 5 days to get our sailing permits. The costs per boat are $30 per month plus an administration fee of $50 plus whatever the agent fancies charging you - hopefully no more than $70.
When you finally make to Hurghada marina, it is only $220 per month!

Hopefully, that helps!

 

[ben tye]

beware of the pilots

We went through the canal three Christmas's ago, the agent was very helpful. Cannot remember the costing but our boat was 75 feet. Watch out for the pilots, ours spilt coffee all over the teak, made a huge mess in the bathroom and also walked off with the owners sunglasses.

 

[gracelu]

hi

Never been to that area.. wish I can also go to Suez Canal.. =)

 

[Eeyore]

We went through the canal three Christmas's ago, the agent was very helpful. Cannot remember the costing but our boat was 75 feet. Watch out for the pilots, ours spilt coffee all over the teak, made a huge mess in the bathroom and also walked off with the owners sunglasses.

I came through in November 2009 also, with the Vasco de Gama Rally. I did put a page of general information on my blog at the time which may or may not be of interest to you. You can find that here: http://www.yachtrhumbdo.co.uk/suez_canal.htm

 

[miyagimoon]

But do not use it as gospel. It can change depending on day, time of day, weather and how much Bakshee you throw around especially to the measurer and the agents reps.

Perfect examples:

Homer - Visa took 2 days, ours was done in less than 8 hours.
Homer - 8 months extension + re-entry visas $50, ours cost $30.
Homer - Insurance and quarantine $10, we didn't have to pay this.
Homer - Agent’s fees $100, we managed to negotiate it down to 80$.
Homer - It took 5 days to get our sailing permits, ours was done in 1 day.
Homer - The costs per boat are $30 per month plus an administration fee of $50 plus whatever the agent fancies charging you - hopefully no more than $70. Ours cost $30, no admin fee and agent was $50
Homer - No mention of Port Clearance, we paid $40.

I am aware that Homer is part of the Vasco Da Gamma Rally and that there are 15 yachts on the rally. So the agents etc had to deal with 15 yachts for Visa's and Sailing Permits which probably explains the time differences. I would have however expected the fees to have been lower based on bulk. The actual SCA fees are subject to size of vessel.

Also note that the SCA fee covers a return trip as long as you return within 6 month. So the rally which I believe is longer that 6 month will need to pay the SCA fees again.

Homer (Jigsaw), see you for a few drinks when we get back and tell Tony not to over feed Charlie!

 

[homer]

Oddly enough, port clearance fees didn't come up and after a lot or argy bargy, we didn't have to pay an agent's fee for the cruising permit. Seems they make it up as they go along!
Yes, shared a few beers with Nimbus - Charlie looked very well. It's our cat, Puzzle that's getting overfed - strolls from boat to boat on D pontoon picking up goodies!