Suez Canal Transit Fee Settlement Rules Revised With Six-Month Limit
Shipping Arabia, October 23, 2026 – The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has revised its transit fee settlement rules, introducing a six-month eligibility period and requiring vessels to submit missing documentation no later than their third transit through the canal. The amendment establishes clearer conditions for recalculating fees from previous passages based on Suez Canal Net Tonnage (SCNT).
The changes amend Clause 3 of Article 92 of the Suez Canal Rules of Navigation and Transit, issued in December 2020. They specifically address vessels that complete outstanding documentation during subsequent transits and seek settlement of charges relating to earlier passages.
Suez Canal Transit Fee Settlement Based on Net Tonnage
Under the amended provisions, vessels may have previous transit fees recalculated based on Suez Canal Net Tonnage when they submit documents that were not provided during earlier passages. However, the settlement remains subject to the conditions established under the revised regulations.
The amendment sets the third transit as the latest opportunity for submitting outstanding documentation. Consequently, vessels seeking to settle charges from previous passages must complete the required documentation within this limit.
The revised provision also establishes a specific period covering earlier transits eligible for settlement. This creates a defined regulatory framework for handling fee adjustments when the necessary documents become available after an initial passage.
Two Conditions Govern Transit Fee Settlements
The SCA has established two requirements that vessels must meet to qualify for settlement under the amended rules.
First, vessels must submit all outstanding required documentation no later than their third transit through the Suez Canal.
Second, the previous transits covered by the settlement must fall within a six-month period beginning on the day after the vessel’s first transit through the canal.
Both conditions must be satisfied for the settlement provisions to apply. The amendment therefore links eligibility to the number of canal passages and the time elapsed since the vessel’s first transit.
Revised Rules Clarify Documentation and Settlement Procedures
The changes aim to regulate how transit fees are settled when vessels complete missing documentation during subsequent passages.
By establishing a maximum transit limit for document submission and a defined six-month settlement window, the SCA has clarified the conditions governing the recalculation of previous transit charges.
The amendment forms part of the authority’s regulatory framework for vessels navigating the Suez Canal. These regulations govern transit procedures, documentation requirements, and the calculation and settlement of canal transit fees.
Source: Al Mal