Suez Canal Completes Largest Transit as Floating Dock is Towed to Turkey

The Suez Canal recently completed one of the most unique transits and the largest of its kind in the 154-year history of the waterway. A missive floating dock being transferred from Singapore to Turkey made its way north on November 7 and 8 after intricate planning.

Two powerful tugs were at the head of the tow moving the dock (SCA)

The transit of the floating dock Dourado is considered a non-conventional transit operation as it was moved through guided by tugs without propulsion power. It is 91,000 tons and had a total transit length (including the dock and tugs) of 1,476 feet (450 meters) with a width of 295 feet (90 meters). As such, it became the largest floating unit to transit the Canal by towing.

Despite the enhancements to the canal, the SCA notes the dock’s transit required precise maneuvering and careful monitoring of the water and air currents to maintain its navigational axis throughout the voyage.  

Additional tugs were placed alongside and at the rear of the dock for the transit (SCA)

As the dock was relying solely on tugs a speed restriction of a maximum of 4 knots was placed on the transit. Once the dock arrived in the canal’s southern anchorage, two escort tugs from Singapore, Hulk II and Maverick 1, were positioned at the front of the dock. Five SCA tugs and a lead boat were assigned with one tug placed on each side in the central position and the others providing rear support. The team also consisted of 16 canal pilots and 10 tug masters.

The dock moving as part of a northbound convoy required 24 hours to complete the transit of the Suez Canal.