CAIRO: Egypt will raise the fees paid by ships passing through the Suez Canal in an effort to boost revenue as the economy struggles to head off a currency crisis.
The strategic waterway is one of the main sources of foreign currency, bringing around $5bn a year at a time when the country faces political unrest and economic turmoil.
The new toll fees will start after midnight, an official from the Suez Canal Authority said. They will rise 5 percent on oil tankers and petrochemical products and 2 percent for container ships and car carriers.
Last year, tolls were raised by 3 percent for all ships passing through the canal. The 192km canal is the quickest sea route between Asia and Europe, saving an estimated 15 days of journey time on average.
Reuters
