Towards a greener canal

by Mahmoud Bayoumi

A recent report on the environmental status of the new Suez Canal project published in consultation with the Suez Canal Authority and other relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies shows the impact will be minimal. The report is based on scientific studies of the Suez Canal over the past 60 years, with a thorough analysis of data and an evaluation for all possible environmental, economic and health impacts.

Further information can be obtained from the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, the authority in charge of approving the environmental impact assessment of the project and any other relevant environmental matters related to the New Suez Canal project.

The Suez Canal has linked the Mediterranean and the Red seas for more than 150 years with only minimal impact on the sensitive marine environments, compared with other environmental alternatives for international navigational routes.

The project has been designed to have a minimal impact on the marine environment by reducing the changes in the water that flows through the existing canal.

The project aims to maximise the benefits of the existing canal and its bypasses by doubling carrying capacity and reducing transit time for the passage of ships,taking into account the expected growth in the volume of the world’s trade.

Global outcomes for the project can be also summarised as to Increasing the standards of navigational safety measures of transiting ships and reducing traffic accidents; and achieving a non-stop direct crossing for 45 ships in both directions, as well as reducing the crossing and transit time to a maximum of three hours instead of eight to 11 hours. This will, in turn, reduce the cost of the voyage, as well as increase the investment of the nations that will benefit from the expansion of the Suez Canal, making it the best route to be used by ship owners; allow the crossing of ships with a 66-foot draft through the canal; and reduce emissions and fuel burn rates on the global level.

The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency will prepare a strategic environmental assessment study. This study will not be prepared in one lot since it needs a continuous follow-up of project developments, risk analyses, and identification of mitigation measures for the potential effects during the execution and operation phases.

The expected Environmental Impacts were studied by Professor Karem Rakha of Cairo University’s faculty of engineering.  Prof. Rakha used a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model to predict the impacts on water hydrodynamics, the movement of tracer materials and the expected impacts of dredging activities, especially turbidity levels. The study revealed that the design of the expansion project would have a minimal impact on hydrodynamic behavior and the tracers in the canal. The results were summarised as follows:

A- The increase in the amount of water added to the canal is estimated at about 5.4 per cent, of which has no environmental impact on the ecosystems in this area.

B- The maximum value of the increase in water level fluctuation is only 10 cms.

C- Turbidity levels will be maintained within the permissible levels of less than 60 mg/l.

D- The impact of the new extension is negligible on the transmission and movement of tracers.

Materials generated during the dredging operations will be disposed of to strengthen the embankments of the sedimentation basins as well as for the creation of new embankments, low land levelling, and in road construction.

Environmental Management Procedures were taken by the Ministry of Environment, Suez Canal Authority and other relevant agencies.

Accomplished Mitigation Measures

1-   Suez Canal Authority prepared a comprehensive study in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Environment.

2-   The international dredging companies engaged to perform the work developed environmental assessments of the dredging works as a prerequisite from international credit agencies.

3-   The EEAA conducted a comprehensive literature review for national and international studies conducted during the past 100 years on biota migrated across the Suez Canal.

4-   The SCA held community consultation sessions with local communities and stakeholders in the project area, where results of the environmental impact assessment and environmental management procedures were addressed and approved.

5-   The Egyptian National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries and Suez Canal University organised a series of workshops to discuss the scientific work on alien invasive species migrating between the Red and Mediterranean Seas, and appraise the environmental impacts of the Suez Canal project.

6-   The alien invasive species monitoring programme is included within the National Biodiversity Strategy that has been updated according to the requirements of the Strategic Plan of the Biodiversity Convention (2011–2020).

7-   Establishment of a scientific committee to undertake monitoring and environmental impact assessment of the project.

8-   The expansion project was designed not to cause any impacts on migratory birds as it does not include elevated facilities, high illumination towers, as well as no direct light on water surfaces was allowed so as not to disturb fish.

Current and Future Mitigation Measures

1-    Study the possibility of applying the requirements and international standards relating to the Conventions of Ballast Water and Fouling of the International Maritime Organisation.

2-     Implement programmes to monitor and evaluate the risks of alien invasive species along the Suez Canal, including the following:

–   Study of the social, economic, environmental, and human health impacts.

–   Monitor the spread of alien species and determine possible pathways.

–   Increase the effectiveness of border controls, ports, and quarantine measures.

–   Implementation of best practices in control of invasion in coordination with civil society.

–   Development of global applied indicators (baseline).

–  Alien species monitoring and support of scientific research at the national and regional levels.

–  Awareness and training of government agencies and non-governmental organisations (civil society) to implement effective environmental conservation programmes.