One of the world’s largest barges transits Suez Canal

CAIRO – 23 February 2026: Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, announced that the canal witnessed the transit of the diving vessel HUA RUI LONG, one of the world’s largest barges, through the New Suez Canal on Monday as part of the southbound convoy. The vessel had passed through Bab el-Mandeb on its voyage from Singapore to Denmark.

The HUA RUI LONG, owned by China’s Guangzhou Salvage Bureau, is a state-of-the-art vessel built in 2022. It measures 252 meters in length, 77.7 meters in width, with a draft of 10.5 meters and a gross tonnage of 115,254 tons. The vessel is transiting the canal while carrying the ship NORTHERN ENDEAVOUR.

Rabie described the transit as a unique and complex operation, as the vessel’s width exceeds the standard maximum permitted width for canal passage, which is 75 meters. Special navigational measures were therefore implemented, including the deployment of four Suez Canal Authority tugboats to assist the vessel.

Six senior pilots were assigned to guide the vessel during its transit, with additional navigational support provided by escorting tugboats. The operation was monitored in real time by the main traffic control center and pilot stations along the canal.

Rabie emphasized that the successful completion of such specialized transits demonstrates the canal’s capability to accommodate a wide range of vessel types and sizes. He highlighted the professionalism of the canal’s pilots and the extensive expertise of the Authority’s tugboat captains in ensuring maritime safety.

He added that recent infrastructure development projects have significantly enhanced navigational safety and increased the canal’s capacity, reinforcing its position as the fastest, shortest, and safest route for specialized maritime operations. In 2025, the canal handled 27 vessels of this type, in addition to four more since the beginning of 2026.

The Chairman noted that the New Suez Canal’s straight course and minimal bends improve its ability to handle special transits. Meanwhile, the Southern Sector Development Project has increased navigational safety by 28% and widened the canal by 40 meters to the east, enabling it to receive specialized vessels that were previously unable to transit.

Rabie concluded by stressing that choosing the Suez Canal saves time and costs while reducing carbon emissions, making it the optimal route for large vessels and special transits. On this particular voyage, the canal reduced the sailing distance by approximately 3,432 nautical miles compared to alternative routes.

The HUA RUI LONG previously transited the canal empty during its maiden voyage in October 2022.