Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, announced the successful transit of the floating dock GREEN DOCK 3, towed by the tugboat PRESISTENCE at its bow, and was steered 4 SCA tugboats on both sides and behind it during its voyage through the Canal amongst vessels of the southern convoy after its safe navigation through the Red Sea and Bab El-Mandab, en route from Indonesia to Turkey.
The floating dock is 290 m. in length, has a beam of 57 m. and a draft of 8 m. It is considered one of the mega towed vessels as its tonnage registered 42 thousand tons.
The towed transit operation through the Canal took 24 hours and required special navigational measures due to it being a non-self-propelled unit, as the navigational safety operation was carried out by 4 SCA tugboats.
Adm. Rabiee stressed that the success of qualitative transit operations reflects the readiness of the Suez Canal to receive various types and sizes of unconventional marine units. It also demonstrates the competence of the SCA pilots and the accumulated experience of the SCA's tug masters in navigational safety.
The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority pointed out that the successful transit of the floating dock sends a reassuring message to the maritime community regarding the stability of navigation in the region, especially after the safe transit of the floating dock through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab Strait up to the Suez Canal. H. E. emphasized that the Suez Canal will remain the safest and most efficient artery for global trade.
Admiral Rabiee explained that the ongoing development projects in the waterway have contributed to increasing navigational safety for special transit operations. H. E. pointed out that the New Suez Canal remains the optimal navigational option for accommodating these special transit operations due to its straight course and minimal curves. He added that the Southern Sector Development Project has achieved a significant leap forward in enhancing navigational safety by widening the Canal by 40 meters, thereby increasing its capacity to accommodate special vessels that were previously unable to transit.
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The Chairman of the Authority added that the distance saved by the Suez Canal route between Indonesia and Turkey amounts to 6,000 nautical miles, representing a 48% saving in distance compared to the Cape of Good Hope route. This is reflected in shortening journey time, and thus achieving savings in operational costs and fuel consumption, and consequently, a reduction of approximately 996 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Admiral Rabiee extended his greetings, appreciation, and gratitude to everyone involved in the safe transit of the floating dock through the Canal, from the various sections and sectors of the Authority's Transit Department. H. E. emphasized that coordination and integrated work constitute a professional operation system capable of managing various navigational situations with competence and capability.
On his part, Captain Viktor Kishlian, Captain of the tugboat PERSISTENCE, which towed the floating dock during its voyage, expressed his appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Suez Canal Authority to ensure safe transit.
When asked about the course of his voyage, he indicated that from its starting point in Indonesia through the Indian Ocean, then the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab Strait, was completely safe. He emphasized that the Suez Canal has succeeded in achieving the formula of success by significantly reducing the voyage time, and reducing operational costs compared to alternative routes, making it the optimal choice for transiting from East to West and a fundamental pillar of the global economy and international trade.
