Here the data sheet of miramar.nz (ID of ship = 1180773):

IDNo: 1180773 Year: 1928
Name: UBENA Keel:
Type: Passenger/cargo (rf) Launch Date: 31.3.28
Flag: DEU Date of completion: 31.7.28
Tons: 9554 Link: 1403
DWT: Yard No: 482
Length overall: Ship Design:
LPP: 135.8 Country of build: DEU
Beam: 18.4 Builder: Blohm & Voss
Material of build: Location of yard: Steinwerder
Number of
screws/Mchy/
Speed(kn): 1ST-14
Naval or paramilitary marking :
A: *
End: 1957
Subsequent History:

[1934 Lg 142.9m, 9523gt, 1ST.16] - 45 EMPIRE KEN
Disposal Data:

BU Dalmuir 20.9.57 [W.H.Arnott Young & Co] & Troon [West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co]

Woermann's German East Africa Line 'Ubena' of 1928.
Became British troopship 'Empire Ken' post war.
Shown southbound in the Suez Canal while tying up to the shore to let a northbound convoy pass - in the days when ships were small enough to pass in the Canal but too big to do it while both underway. Before the dredging of 'The Cut'.
Why southbound? No settlements like that on the Sinai side.

Ship the photo was taken from is also a Passo boat with what looks like at least 5 lifeboats a side. Should be an easy ID.

S.S. "UBENA" GERMAN EAST AFRICA LINE. (H.M.T. "EMPIRE KEN" 1946-57) The "Ubena" was built in 1928 for the German East Africa Line. During the Second World War, she was taken over by the German Navy and converted into a U-boat Depot Ship. At the end of the war, the ship was seized by the Allies, given to Great Britain and converted into a troopship for the Ministry for War Transport. She was renamed "Empire Ken" and remained in service until 1957, when she was sold for scrapping.

Suez canal ?