Recently, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) issued the latest Navigation Circular, announcing an increase in temporary surcharges for most vessel types effective July 15, 2026.
According to the announcement, the new surcharges will be levied on top of existing canal transit dues and apply to vessels beginning their transit of the Suez Canal on or after July 15. The Suez Canal Authority stated that this adjustment is based on current international shipping market conditions, and the relevant surcharges are temporary measures that may be adjusted or canceled in the future based on market changes.
Surcharge Increases for Multiple Vessel Types
According to the latest fee schedule, surcharge adjustments for each vessel type are as follows:
Container Ships
Surcharge remains at 12%
Levy on top of normal canal transit dues
Dry Bulk Carriers
Increased from 10% to 22%
Crude Oil and Product Tankers
Increased from 25% to 37%
Ballast Tankers
Increased from 15% to 27%
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carriers and Chemical Tankers
Increased from 20% to 32%
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Carriers
Increased from 7% to 19%
Car Carriers
Northbound transit: Increased from 14% to 26%
Southbound transit: Remains at 12%
General Cargo Ships, Multi-Purpose Vessels, Ro-Ro Ships, Heavy Lift Vessels, etc.
Increased from 14% to 26%
Currently, passenger ships are the only vessel type not affected by this surcharge adjustment.
Canal Transit Volume Shows Recovery
In recent years, affected by the security situation in the Red Sea, many shipping companies have chosen to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, significantly impacting both transit volume and revenue of the Suez Canal. However, since the beginning of 2026, canal vessel transit conditions have improved.
According to official Egyptian statistics, 1,182 vessels transited the Suez Canal in April 2026, a year-on-year increase of 13.9%; among them, 529 were tankers, a year-on-year increase of 27.8%. During the same period, transit fee revenue from vessels passing through the Suez Canal was approximately USD 425 million, a year-on-year increase of over 30%, reaching a relatively high level since the outbreak of the Red Sea crisis.
Pressure on Canal Revenue Recovery Remains
Despite the recent rebound in transit volume, the overall navigation scale of the Suez Canal remains at a low level compared to before the Red Sea crisis.
Market analysis suggests that as some tankers and energy transport vessels re-select the Suez route, and with changes in the shipping landscape in the Middle East, Egypt is attempting to seek a balance between restoring canal revenue and maintaining route competitiveness by adjusting the fee mechanism.
Meanwhile, the Suez Canal Authority emphasized that this surcharge adjustment does not involve the basic transit fee standard. The current basic tariff system implemented has not been adjusted since 2024.
For shipping companies, this surcharge adjustment will directly increase the voyage cost of transiting the Suez Canal, with tankers, LNG carriers, LPG carriers, and dry bulk carriers being notably affected.
Currently, Red Sea route security risks, war risk insurance premiums, and fuel costs remain high. With the Suez Canal further increasing surcharges, the comprehensive operating costs for future Asia-Europe routes and energy transport markets may continue to face upward pressure. Cargo owners and logistics companies need to monitor whether shipping companies subsequently adjust surcharge items and related freight rate policies.
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