Suez Canal Nautical Chart

Suez Canal nautical charts: preparing and securing navigation between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea

The Suez Canal is one of the world's most important maritime passages. Located in Egypt, it directly connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, crossing the Isthmus of Suez. This waterway allows vessels travelling between Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia to avoid sailing around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.

When preparing a transit through the Suez Canal, a Suez Canal nautical chart is an essential cartographic document. It allows navigators to visualize the canal, approaches, navigable channels, waiting areas, port facilities, navigation aids and the various sectors encountered between Port Said and Suez.

Charting in this area has a particular feature: it is not simply a conventional coastal chart. Navigators must take into account a highly regulated and engineered environment, characterized by very heavy maritime traffic, precisely defined channels, anchorage and waiting areas, as well as specific procedures imposed by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).

A strategic navigation area between two seas

The Suez Canal connects two very different maritime areas: to the north, the eastern Mediterranean Sea; to the south, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez.

This geographical position explains the importance of nautical charting for vessels travelling between:

• Europe and the Mediterranean;

• the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean;

• the Middle East and Europe;

• the Mediterranean and Asia;

• the Mediterranean basin and the ports of the Indian Ocean.

For a vessel travelling, for example, between Marseille, Genoa, Malta or Piraeus and a port in the Indian Ocean, the passage through the Suez Canal represents a specific charting stage of the voyage.

South of the canal, navigation continues through the Gulf of Suez and then towards the Red Sea and its main navigation areas, including Jeddah, Port Sudan, Massawa, Aden, and the approaches to the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

Which nautical charts cover the Suez Canal?

Official Egyptian charting includes charts produced by the Egyptian Navy Hydrographic Department (ENHD) specifically covering the Suez Canal.

The main references dedicated to transit are:

• SC01: Suez Canal – Port Said to Great Bitter Lake;

• SC02: Suez Canal – Great Bitter Lake to Port of Suez;

• R11: Port of Suez.

The information currently published by the ENHD identifies SC01 and SC02 as charts intended for Suez Canal transit, while R11 covers the Port of Suez area. Editions and dates should be checked when preparing a voyage, as nautical charting evolves with hydrographic updates.

The Suez Canal Authority's navigation rules themselves refer to charts SC01 and SC02 for the approaches to Port Said.

SC01 chart: Port Said to the Great Bitter Lake

Chart SC01 covers the northern part of the Suez Canal, from Port Said to the Great Bitter Lake.

This area includes:

• the approaches to Port Said;

• Port Said and Port Fouad;

• the northern entrance to the canal;

• the navigation channel;

• navigation marks and aids;

• the engineered sections of the canal;

• the areas towards Lake Timsah;

• the approaches to the Great Bitter Lake.

For a vessel arriving from the Mediterranean, this chart helps prepare the transition from maritime navigation in the Mediterranean Sea to a waterway where traffic and navigation procedures are specific.

SC02 chart: Great Bitter Lake to the Port of Suez

Chart SC02 continues southwards, from the Great Bitter Lake to the Port of Suez.

It covers in particular:

• the Great Bitter Lake;

• the southern section of the canal;

• the various infrastructures and facilities located along the canal;

• the approaches to Suez;

• the Port Tewfik area;

• access to the Gulf of Suez.

The combined use of SC01 and SC02 therefore provides coverage of the main charted route through the Suez Canal. The ENHD currently identifies SC01 and SC02 as charts belonging to the "Suez Canal Folio" series.

R11: Port of Suez and southern approach

Chart R11 completes the coverage of the Suez area and its port surroundings.

This area marks the transition between the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Suez, which then opens into the Red Sea.

The chart is particularly relevant for navigators preparing to leave the canal and continue their voyage southwards. It can be used in conjunction with charts covering Ain Sokhna, the approaches to the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea.

The ENHD currently lists R11 as a Port of Suez chart, with a port-scale chart suitable for more detailed navigation.

Main ports and areas to know

A Suez Canal nautical chart does not only concern the channel itself. It should be considered within its wider maritime and port environment.

Port Said

Located at the northern entrance, Port Said is one of the main reference points for accessing the canal from the Mediterranean.

Nearby, Port Fouad is also located on the eastern side of the canal entrance.

Ismailia

Located close to the canal, Ismailia is an important geographical reference in the central part of the Isthmus of Suez.

Lake Timsah

Lake Timsah is a distinctive section of the canal route and appears in the nautical charting of the central area.

The Great Bitter Lake and Little Bitter Lake

The Bitter Lakes are a characteristic feature of the Suez Canal. The Great Bitter Lake plays an important role in the organization of traffic and in the overall configuration of the canal.

Suez and Port Tewfik

To the south, Suez and Port Tewfik mark the transition towards the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea.

Other important port facilities are located in the region, notably Ain Sokhna and Adabiya.

Why is an accurate nautical chart particularly important in the Suez Canal?

The Suez Canal is an engineered and regulated waterway. Navigation is organized according to specific procedures established by the Suez Canal Authority.

The authority operates a convoy system for traffic through the canal and specifies the navigation conditions applicable to vessels. It also indicates the presence of navigation aids such as buoys, mooring facilities and pilot stations.

A nautical chart therefore provides an accurate representation of the environment in which the transit takes place.

It allows navigators to identify:

• the channel layout;

• charted depths;

• the limits of navigable areas;

• navigation aids;

• port infrastructure;

• anchorage and waiting areas;

• industrial facilities;

• specific sections of the canal;

• the approaches to Port Said and Suez.

ENHD, Admiralty, SHOM and other chart publishers

For international navigation, several chart producers may be relevant depending on the geographical area and type of navigation.

In Egyptian waters, ENHD – Egyptian Navy Hydrographic Department charts are a direct reference for the waters of Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Other international publishers such as Admiralty / UKHO, SHOM, Imray and NV Charts provide charting for different areas of the Mediterranean, Red Sea and international approaches. The appropriate choice depends on the exact area, intended use and regulatory requirements applicable to the vessel.

For a complete voyage between France and the Indian Ocean, it is therefore often necessary to combine several chart series covering the western Mediterranean, eastern Mediterranean, Suez Canal, Gulf of Suez, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and finally the Indian Ocean.

Example of chart planning for a voyage

Consider a vessel leaving Marseille to sail to Jeddah or a port in the Indian Ocean.

Chart planning may progressively cover:

1. the western Mediterranean;

2. the central Mediterranean;

3. the eastern Mediterranean;

4. the approaches to Port Said;

5. the Suez Canal with SC01 and SC02;

6. the Port of Suez and Gulf of Suez;

7. the Red Sea;

8. the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait;

9. the Gulf of Aden;

10. the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

This example shows why a Suez Canal nautical chart should be considered part of a broader charting portfolio when used for a delivery voyage, offshore passage or commercial voyage.

Paper charts and digital navigation

The Suez Canal Authority states that both electronic and paper charts have been published for the New Suez Canal.

Modern navigation can therefore combine several chart formats depending on the vessel and its equipment: paper charts, ECDIS, ENC and electronic systems compatible with the appropriate nautical data.

It is nevertheless important to distinguish between charting intended for general route planning and documents that meet the specific regulatory requirements of a vessel or transit.

A digital chart should not be regarded simply as a universal reproduction of a paper chart: format, data, licensing, updates, navigation system and regulatory status may differ.

Charting to be used with nautical publications

A nautical chart alone never constitutes all the information required for navigation in the Suez Canal.

Transit planning must also take into account the navigation rules, Suez Canal Authority publications, Notices to Mariners and other applicable nautical information.

The SCA specifies that its navigation publications form an integral part of the regulatory framework applicable to the canal.

For this reason, a Suez Canal nautical chart should be regarded as a cartographic resource to be used alongside the regulatory and operational documents required for transit.

In summary: how do you choose a Suez Canal nautical chart?

To determine the appropriate chart coverage for navigation in this area, it is important to check:

• the section of the canal concerned;

• the northern or southern approaches;

• the port of departure or arrival;

• the navigation area before and after the canal;

• the hydrographic office or chart publisher;

• the chart scale;

• the edition and available corrections;

• the regulatory requirements applicable to the vessel;

• compatibility with charts covering the Mediterranean, Gulf of Suez and Red Sea.

The SC01 and SC02 series, together with chart R11, provide a structured approach to chart coverage of the Suez Canal and its main approaches. References and editions should always be checked according to the transit requirements and the latest information available from the relevant authorities.

Conclusion

The Suez Canal nautical chart is an essential document for understanding and preparing navigation on one of the world's major international maritime corridors. Between Port Said, Lake Timsah, the Bitter Lakes and Suez, it provides the cartographic framework required to prepare a transit through an area characterized by heavy traffic and specific regulations.

For a voyage connecting the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Suez, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, Suez Canal charts should be integrated into consistent chart coverage for the entire route.

ENHD charts SC01, SC02 and R11, supplemented where necessary by international charting from publishers such as Admiralty, SHOM, Imray and NV Charts, make it possible to build this coverage according to the area, type of navigation and applicable requirements.

FAQ

Which nautical chart is required to transit the Suez Canal?

Official Egyptian charting dedicated to transit includes SC01, covering Port Said to the Great Bitter Lake, and SC02, covering the Great Bitter Lake to the Port of Suez. Chart R11 covers the Port of Suez area. References and editions should be checked according to the requirements currently in force.

What does the SC01 Suez Canal chart cover?

SC01 covers the northern section of the canal, between Port Said and the Great Bitter Lake. It includes the approaches to Port Said and the northern section of the canal.

What does the SC02 Suez Canal chart cover?

SC02 covers the southern section of the canal, between the Great Bitter Lake and Port Said/Suez. The ENHD defines it as a transit chart covering the area from the Great Bitter Lake to the Port of Suez.

What is the R11 chart used for?

Reference R11 is the chart for the Port of Suez. It completes the chart coverage of the southern section of the canal and provides an appropriate scale for detailed navigation in the port area.

Does the Suez Canal connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea?

Yes. The Suez Canal is an artificial waterway crossing the Isthmus of Suez and directly connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea.

What are the main ports associated with the Suez Canal?

The main port references include Port Said in the north and Suez in the south. The area also includes Port Fouad, Adabiya and Ain Sokhna, as well as numerous port and industrial facilities.

Is a Suez Canal chart sufficient to plan an entire voyage to the Indian Ocean?

No. It covers the canal and its immediate approaches. A voyage from Europe to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean also requires appropriate chart coverage for the Mediterranean, Gulf of Suez, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the subsequent sections of the route.

Which publishers produce nautical charts for this area?

For the Suez Canal itself, the ENHD – Egyptian Navy Hydrographic Department is the hydrographic authority directly associated with official Egyptian charts of the canal. For surrounding areas, international producers such as Admiralty/UKHO, SHOM, Imray and NV Charts may provide charts depending on the areas covered and navigation requirements.

Are Suez Canal charts regularly updated?

Yes. Nautical charting may evolve according to new hydrographic data, changes to channels and infrastructure. ENHD publishes information concerning its chart editions, including currently listed editions for SC01, SC02 and R11.

Does a nautical chart replace the Suez Canal navigation rules?

No. The chart is the cartographic support for navigation. It must be used together with the navigation rules, official publications and information issued by the Suez Canal Authority, which regulates navigation through the canal.