Suez Canal Authority rescues FENER vessel crew after distress call north of Port Said

CAIRO – 14 January 2026: Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Osama Rabie announced on Wednesday the successful rescue of all crew members aboard the cargo vessel FENER following a maritime emergency north of Port Said.

Rabie said the SCA’s maritime rescue teams responded swiftly to a distress call from the vessel’s master in the early hours of Wednesday, after the ship developed a dangerous list of about 10 degrees to starboard and was at risk of sinking.

The incident occurred outside the Suez Canal’s navigational channel, in the western anchorage area north of Port Said, approximately five miles west of the canal’s northern entrance in the Mediterranean Sea.

He explained that upon receiving the alert at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the authority immediately mobilized two tugboats and deployed three Bahar-class marine launches.

 

The rescue units successfully evacuated all 12 crew members and secured the vessel during the evacuation operation.

Rabie reassured that all crew members are in good health.

He noted that one crew member who sustained a shoulder dislocation received the necessary medical care at the SCA-affiliated canal mooring and lights hospital.

Grounding Vessel

The SCA on Tuesday reported the grounding of the general cargo vessel FENER that arrived from Turkey to load a shipment at East Port Said.

After departing the port, deteriorating weather conditions prompted the ship’s master to request anchorage in the Port Said waiting area until conditions improved, Rabie noted.

He added that the SCA’s maritime rescue team received a report from the vessel indicating a breach in one of its holds, which led to water ingress into the hull.

 

As a precautionary measure, and prior to the arrival of the rescue team, the ship’s master maneuvered the vessel south of the anchorage area to aground it to prevent sinking.

Reassurance Message

Reassuring shipping operators, Rabie stressed that navigation through the Suez Canal continues at normal rates and remains entirely unaffected.

He noted that the SCA’s crisis and disaster management center is closely monitoring developments as part of its mandate to coordinate with other authorities in managing incidents occurring beyond the canal’s waterway.

Rabie highlighted the SCA’s integrated capabilities, which include highly skilled navigational personnel, extensive experience in maritime rescue operations and specialized maritime units tasked with rescue operations, navigational security, and pollution-control efforts.

On Tuesday, a total of 35 vessels transited the Suez Canal in both directions, with a combined net tonnage of approximately 1.6 million tons, the SCA noted.