CIRCULAR NO. 1/1998

IN LINE WITH THE SUEZ CANAL AUTHORITY POLICY TO UP-GRADE THE WATERWAY IN SERVICE OF WORLD NAVIGATION, AND ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE PRESENT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT, THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN DECIDED:

1. ITEM © OF ARTICLE 52 AND ITEM (1) OF ARTICLE 53 OF THE SUEZ CANAL RULES OF NAVIGATION (FEB. 1995) SHALL BE WAIVED.

2. VESSELS WITH A BEAM OF 163 FEET AND 9 INCHES CAN TRANSIT THE CANAL WITH DRAUGHT OF 58 FEET.

3. VESSELS WITH A BEAM EXCEEDING 163 FEET AND 9 INCHES CAN TRANSIT THE CANAL WITH DRAUGHT OF NOT MORE THAN 32 FEET FORWARD AND 36 FEET AFT.

4. BALLAST VESSELS WITH A BEAM OF UP TO 245 FEET CAN TRANSIT THE CANAL WITH A DRAUGHT OF NOT MORE THAN 32 FEET FORWARD AND 36 FEET AFT.

5. BALLAST VESSELS WITH A BEAM EXCEEDING 245 FEET NEED PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE SUEZ CANAL AUTHORITY.

HOWEVER, BALLAST VESSELS WITH A BEAM EXCEEDING 210 FEET CAN ONLY TRANSIT IN FAVOURABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WIND SPEED NOT MORE THAN 10 KNOTS.

THIS CIRCULAR TAKES EFFECT AS OF JUNE 1, 1998.