Suez Canal increasing tolls in March

   The Suez Canal Authority has announced toll increases for the coming year.
   While the toll structure is complex, based on both ship type and size, Reuters quoted a statement from the authority saying the increase would amount to about 3 percent for all types of ships. It said the increase, which would go into effect in March, was the first in three years.
   The authority also said it will increase the surcharge on containerships moving northward through the canal carrying six tiers of containers on deck from 16 percent to 18 percent. The surcharges for lower numbers of containers on deck range from two percent for one tier of containers (or LASH barges) on deck to 12 percent for six tiers, and remain unchanged in the southbound direction.
   On northbound ships, the surcharge for ships with more than six tiers goes up another two percent,  so that a ship carrying seven tiers of containers, for example, will now pay a 20 percent surcharge instead of 18 percent. The surchanges are detailed here with links to the original surcharge schedule.