Suez Canal Authority tows disabled tanker Alyssum to Port Said
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has completed a 180-nautical-mile towing operation involving the oil tanker MT Alyssum after the vessel suffered a main engine failure off the coast of El Alamein, Egypt.
The tanker was brought safely to the Port Said anchorage by the SCA salvage tug Mohamed Beshir, where it is expected to undergo maintenance and repairs.
According to the Authority’s announcement on 5 November 2026, the operation followed a request for assistance from Sphinx Shipping Agency after the tanker’s main engines unexpectedly failed in the Mediterranean Sea.
The SCA dispatched Mohamed Beshir to carry out the towing operation, transporting the disabled vessel from the waters off El Alamein to Port Said over a distance of approximately 180 nautical miles.
Tanker reaches Port Said after engine failure
The Authority reported that the operation was completed successfully, describing the response as a specialised maritime salvage assignment.
The MT Alyssum measures 182.5 metres in length and 43.5 metres in beam, according to the SCA. The Authority also reported a gross tonnage of approximately 23,000.
Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, said the operation demonstrated the organisation’s ability to respond to maritime emergencies beyond the Suez Canal itself.
The successful tow forms part of the Authority’s wider maritime services, which include emergency assistance, vessel repair and maintenance, oil pollution response and specialised marine support.
The SCA operates a fleet of salvage vessels, tugboats, launches and floating cranes to support these activities. Among its recent additions is the CC floating crane, which has a lifting capacity of 2,200 tonnes.
The Authority did not specify the exact time of the engine failure, the duration of the towing operation or the nature of the mechanical problem.
It also provided no information on the tanker’s cargo or whether the incident caused any environmental damage.
The vessel’s arrival at Port Said allows the necessary maintenance and repair work to proceed following the completion of the towing operation.
