Beginning in October 2026, new regulations governing vessels aged 25 years and older came into force in the Suez Canal.
Sea-news.az reports that under the new mandates, such ships must undergo a mandatory technical inspection and sea trials prior to transiting the waterway. Permission to navigate the canal will be withheld if these requirements are not completed.
If an inspected vessel transits the canal again within six months and no technical defects or failures are reported during that timeframe, a re-inspection will not be required.
The updated rules apply across all vessel categories, including tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, and other ship types.
The tightening of regulations could result in extra inspection costs and potential voyage delays for ship operators.
