Suez Canal to Hike Ship Tolls by 6% Starting in 2022

The Suez Canal Authority plans to raise tolls by 6% on ships transiting the waterway next year, the canal authority’s chairman Osama Rabea said on Thursday.

The transit fee hike applies to all types of ships with the exception of cruise ships and LNG carriers, which will remain unchanged from 2021. The new rates will apply to ships starting in February.

The hike comes less than a year after the Ever Given grounded and blocked the critical shipping choke point for six days.

Rabea said the pricing strategy takes into account global economic conditions and ensures the waterway can maintain navigational services while also keeping its competitive edge compared to alternative routes.

With regard to LNG carrier rates being unchanged, Rabea said the decision was based on a continuous review of LNG seaborne trade. Beginning this month, the Suez Canal Authority modified its LNG carriers rates to be 15% normal transit tolls (which are based on net tonnage), from the previous 25% discount.

Rabeaa noted that the decision for keeping rates for cruise ships reflects the fact that the sector has been the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, compared to other shipping sectors.