Crossing the Suez Canal on a Cargo Ship: Passenger Guide

Last updated: 22 October 2026

A Suez Canal transit is one of the most striking days on a freighter voyage from Europe to Asia, the Middle East or Australia. For hours your ship sails through the desert, with sand on both sides, passing towns, ferries and the occasional camel. Here is how it works and what to expect.

Suez Canal facts at a glance

Fact	Detail
Length	About 193 km
Connects	Port Said on the Mediterranean and Suez on the Red Sea
Locks	None: it is a sea-level canal
Transit time	Around 12–16 hours
Traffic	Ships travel in convoys, typically two southbound and one northbound each day
Passing point	The Great Bitter Lake, where convoys pass each other

Aerial view of a container ship in a narrow waterway — Ships cross the canal in convoys, one behind the other, for 12 to 16 hours.

How a Suez transit works

Ships arrive at anchorages off Port Said or Suez and wait to join a convoy. At the set time they enter the canal one after another, guided by Suez Canal pilots. Because the canal has no locks, the ship sails steadily through, slowing in narrow stretches and pausing in wider sections or the Great Bitter Lake to let the opposite convoy pass.

What you will see

Desert landscapes on both banks, with sand dunes and palm trees
Towns and ferry crossings, including Ismailia midway along
The Suez Canal Bridge, a high road bridge across the canal
Other giant ships in your convoy, close ahead and astern
Sunrise or sunset over the desert if your timing is lucky

Sunset over the sea — Desert on both sides, then the open Red Sea or Mediterranean at the end.

Which freighter routes use the Suez Canal?

Container services between northern Europe and Asia, the Middle East, India and Australia often use the canal. In recent years some services were diverted around the Cape of Good Hope because of security issues in the Red Sea. In October 2026 CMA CGM and MSC confirmed their joint Europe–Australia service is routing through Suez again. Routings can change at short notice, so we confirm the route when you book.

Tips for Suez day

Ask the officers when your convoy is due to enter
Spend time on deck: there is something to see all day
Bring sun cream, sunglasses and a hat
Keep photos away from military or security sites if the crew advises
Follow any security procedures the captain announces

Suez or Cape of Good Hope?

A Suez routing is shorter and more varied for passengers. A Cape routing adds days at sea around Africa and can bring rougher weather, but also the dramatic sight of the southern tip of the continent. Either way, ask us for the latest routing on your chosen ship.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to cross the Suez Canal?

Around 12–16 hours, plus waiting time at anchor before the convoy enters.

How long is the Suez Canal?

About 193 kilometres, from Port Said to Suez.

Does the Suez Canal have locks?

No. It is a sea-level canal with no locks.

What is a Suez Canal convoy?

Ships transit in groups at set times, typically two southbound and one northbound each day, passing each other at the Great Bitter Lake.

Do cargo ships to Australia use the Suez Canal?

Many do. In October 2026 the CMA CGM and MSC Europe–Australia service returned to routing through Suez.

Dreaming of a Suez Canal crossing?

Ask us for freighter voyages from Europe to Asia or Australia via Suez.

Find a Suez voyage →

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Steve Joury

Cargo trip advisor at Cargoholidays

Passionate about slow trip travel and sea. Steve know most shipping route and procedure to discover our beautiful world from sea on a container ship. He have been at most trips from 7 days on cargo travel to 140 days on board.