The Suez Canal Authority has released its latest transit surcharge standards, with most vessel types seeing a 12% increase—meaning an additional payment of 12% of the canal toll on top of existing transit fees and surcharges. The new rates will take effect on July 15, 2026.

The Suez Canal Authority stated that these surcharges are temporary and may be adjusted or revoked based on market conditions. Specific details are as follows:

• Container ships will continue to pay a 12% surcharge.

• Dry bulk carriers will see their surcharge rise from 10% to 22%.

• Fully laden crude oil tankers and product tankers will see their surcharge increase from 25% to 37%; ballast tankers will see theirs rise from 15% to 27%.

• Car carriers will face different rates depending on direction: northbound vessels will see their surcharge increase from 14% to 26%, while southbound vessels will remain at 12%.

• LPG carriers and chemical tankers will see their surcharge rise from 20% to 32%.

• LNG carriers will see their surcharge increase from 7% to 19%.

• Other general cargo ships, multipurpose vessels, Ro-Ro ships, heavy-lift vessels, etc. will see their surcharge rise from 14% to 26%.

In recent years, due to attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels, ships have been rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope on a large scale to ensure safe passage, leading to a notable decline in Suez Canal traffic.

However, since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war in 2026, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has been obstructed, prompting ships to shift en masse to alternative routes such as the Red Sea, which has indirectly boosted transit volumes through the Suez Canal.

According to data released by Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), a total of 1,182 vessels transited the Suez Canal in April 2026, a year-on-year increase of 14%. Among them, approximately 529 oil tankers passed through the canal, surging 28% year-on-year.

That month, the Suez Canal also generated approximately $419 million in revenue, up 27% year-on-year and marking the highest monthly revenue since early 2024.