Egypt unveils new Suez Canal navigation charts for expanded route
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has issued on Monday updated navigation charts, signaling the operational launch of the expanded section in the Little Bitter Lake, a key component of the canal’s southern sector development project.
SCA Chairman Osama Rabie announced that the revised charts, approved by the Egyptian Navy Hydrographic Department (ENHD) and the UK Admiralty, incorporate the 40-metre eastward expansion between kilometres 132 and 162 and the new 10-kilometre dual passage between kilometres 122 and 132, equipped with modern navigational aids for enhanced safety.

The updated maps have been integrated into the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), with printed versions to follow shortly. Shipowners and navigation chambers have been duly notified to ensure a smooth transition.
Rabie described the expansion as a strategic upgrade that strengthens the Suez Canal’s competitiveness and safety while accommodating larger vessels and new ship categories. He emphasised that the project enhances navigational security, particularly for complex transits of oversized ships.
The expansion also significantly boosts the canal’s capacity, allowing 6-8 additional transits per day, Rabie noted. It increases the canal’s depth from 66 feet to 72 feet and extends the dual-lane section from 72 to 82 kilometres, improving maritime efficiency and safety while facilitating smoother passage for larger vessels.
With the completion of final technical and operational checks, the upgraded Suez Canal is now fully ready for safe and efficient navigation.
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English