Product tankers and chemical carriers have been added to the list of vessels that could be eligible for fixed rebates when they use the Suez Canal.
The Suez Canal Authority released an updated fixed rebate scheme on Wednesday.
Under this product tankers moving from the US and Caribbean to India and ports in the Far East could be eligible for a rebate of between 60% and 75% of the Canal fees.
Similarly, those tankers shipping chemical and other liquid bulk products may be in line for a rebate of 15% to 55%.
But industry observers said that as these vessels tend to ship parcels and stop in many different ports this could make all but those trading large cargoes long haul ineligible for the fixed rebates.
Leth Agencies highlighted the addition of petroleum product and chemical tankers to what it described as the “fixed rebate family”.
In total Leth said 11 new fixed rebates have been added, 24 extended for another six months and four adjusted.
There were no changes to those for bulk carriers and container ships. But there was a new fixed rebate of between 10% and 35% offered for LNG carriers sailing from the US east coast to India while those for other LNG carrier voyages have been increased.
