The Suez Canal expansion project becomes operational on 6 August, but it is unclear whether it will boost oil flows, which have already risen rapidly. The project has taken four double zones and six bypass sections and joined them together to create a new channel. This allows ships to travel in both directions, with the aim of lowering transit waiting time, reducing congestion and allowing more vessels through each day. Vessels with a draught of up to 20m will be able to use the new waterway, the Suez Canal Authority says. The project should reduce vessel waiting times to three hours from up to 11 currently, as well as allowing two-way traffic in the canal. But it has not raised the maximum passable tonnage above the current Suezmax class of tanker.
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