Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, announced that traffic through the Canal today witnessed the transit of the heavy-lift semi-submersible vessel HUA RUI LONG; one of the world's largest heavy-lift vessels, through the New Suez Canal amongst vessels of the south convoy after its navigation through Bab El-Mandab on its journey from Singapore to Denmark.
The vessel built in 2022 is affiliated to the Chinese company Guangzhou Salvage Bureau. It is 252 m. in length, 77.7 m. in breadth, has a gross tonnage of 115254 tons and is transiting through the Canal while carrying the ship NORTHERN ENDEAVOUR on board.
The transit operation of this semi-submersible vessel is considered a qualitative operation as its breadth exceeds the maximum permissible breadth of 75 m. which required special navigational measures where 4 SCA tugboats were used to ensure navigational safety.
Adm. Rabiee gave directives to assign 6 of the SCA's senior pilots to pilot the vessel during its transit through the Canal, provide navigational aid through the escorting tugboats in addition to real-time monitoring from the Main Traffic Control Center and pilotage stations along the Canal.
Admiral Ossama Rabiee emphasized that the success of these specialized transit operations unequivocally reflects the Suez Canal's readiness to accommodate various types and sizes of vessels and maritime units. It further attests to the consummate professionalism of the Canal’s pilots and the accumulated acumen of the Authority’s tug masters in maritime safety.
Admiral Rabiee pointed out that, over the past few years, the Suez Canal has undergone a remarkable infrastructural transformation. The ongoing development projects of the waterway have substantially elevated navigational safety levels and the Canal's accomodation capacity, thereby consolidating its standing as the fastest, shortest, and safest option for these specialized transits. In this regard, H. E. noted that the Suez Canal received 27 vessels of this class in 2025, in addition to four more transiting since the beginning of this year.
The chairman of the Authority further stated that the New Suez Canal has contributed to enhancing the Canal's capacity to accommodate special transits due to its straight course and minimal curvature.
Concurrently, the Southern Sector Development Project yielded a 28% increase in the navigational safety factor, having enabled a 40-meter eastward expansion of the Canal’s width, thus increasing its capacity to receive specialized vessels that were previously unable to transit.
Admiral Rabiee emphasized that opting for transit through the Suez Canal secures tangible savings in both time and operational expenditure, while simultaneously curbing deleterious carbon emissions, making it the ideal route for mega vessels and special transits. He noted that the Suez Canal saved this voyage approximately 3,432 nautical miles compared to other navigational routes.
It is worth mentioning that the Heavy Lift vessel HUA RUI LONG transited through the Canal in ballast on its first voyage through the Canal in October 2022.
