On Friday, June 20, the Red Zed 1, a heavy lift vessel, experienced a sudden steering failure while transiting the Suez Canal as part of the northern convoy.
The incident occurred at kilometer 45 near the El-Qantara West passenger ferryboat and was fully resolved within one hour. The 217-meter-long, 41,000-ton vessel veered off course due to a mechanical malfunction. Supervisors at the El-Qantara Navigation Control Station detected the deviation and immediately alerted ferry staff, who quickly evacuated passengers and nearby vessels.
Pilots on board the Red Zed 1 managed to steer the vessel into a controlled, parallel contact with the ferry dock, minimizing damage. Three tugboats were promptly dispatched to secure and stabilize the vessel.
The crew conducted temporary repairs on site before the vessel was escorted to the El-Balah area and then to the Great Bitter Lakes for further inspection. An initial assessment confirmed a small hole above the waterline in the vessel’s bow but no serious structural damage. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
The entire emergency was managed and contained within 60 minutes. The Red Zed 1 will resume transit following completion of formal inspections and administrative procedures.
