The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has successfully completed on Saturday the trial operation of its expansion project in the Small Bitter Lakes, marking a significant milestone in enhancing the vital waterway's southern sector. Osama Rabie, Chairman of the SCA, highlighted that the trial involved the navigation of two ships through the newly dredged channel, which extends from kilometre marker 122 to kilometre marker 132. During the trial operation, the bulk carrier FU XING HAI and the vessel SUVARI BEY transited the new expansion area as part of their southbound convoy. Simultaneously, four additional ships, including the container ship MATHILDE SCHULTE, the multi-purpose vessel COSCO SHIPPING TENG DA, the bulk carrier YANGTZE ALPHA, and the vessel RUI FU CHENG, navigated the eastern segment of the original canal. To ensure the trial's success, the SCA implemented extensive preparatory measures. These included installing buoys and navigational aids, deploying two escort tugboats for safety, and assigning expert canal pilots to guide the vessels. Before the trial, pilots had undergone on-site inspections and simulation exercises at the SCA Maritime Training and Simulation Academy to guarantee safe navigation through the new channel. Rabie emphasised the transformative impact of the southern sector's development. The project has significantly enhanced navigation safety by reducing the effects of water and air currents on vessels. Moreover, the 10-kilometre expansion in the Small Bitter Lakes area has extended the double-lane segment of the canal. This expansion increases the total length of the New Suez Canal to 82 kilometres, up from 72 kilometres, enabling the passage of 6 to 8 ships daily and strengthening the canal's capacity to handle potential emergencies. Coordination is currently underway between the SCA Traffic Department and the Hydrographic Department of the Egyptian Naval Forces to update navigational charts reflecting the expansion. Full operations in the new segment will commence once these charts are finalised. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
