Suez Canal gives vessels until the third transit to submit missing SCNT documents
Vessels that submit missing documents no later than their third transit can now have earlier transits within six months of the first settled on Suez Canal Net Tonnage, under an amendment to Article 92 of the Rules of Navigation.
Issued 28 Sep 2026 by Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Transit Department · Written 26 Oct 2026 · How we check
Effective
28 September 2026 (date of issue)
Affects
Vessels transiting before all documents for settling dues on Suez Canal Net Tonnage (SCNT) are submitted
Item (3), paragraph (F), Article 92 of the Suez Canal Rules of Navigation (December 2020 edition) now reads: if the missing documents are submitted no later than the third transit, transit dues for the previous transit or transits are settled on the basis of Suez Canal Net Tonnage, provided those transits fell within six months from the day after the vessel's first Suez Canal transit.
It applies from the periodical's date of issue, 28 September 2026.
Who is affected
Vessels, often on a first Suez transit, that couldn't present the documents needed to be charged on SCNT and were charged on another basis.
What to do
If your vessel has transited without complete SCNT documents, submit them by the third transit and ask your agent to request settlement of earlier transits on SCNT.
Keep a valid Suez Canal Special Tonnage Certificate on board to avoid the issue altogether.
Not navigational or legal advice. CanalAgent summarises official Suez Canal notices in plain English. Always confirm
current requirements with the issuing authority or your appointed agent before fixing a voyage.