The Suez Canal is a human-made waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, providing an expedient trade route between Europe and Asia.
The canal has long been a crucial artery of global trade, with over 12% of the world’s trade passing through it every year.
In this article, we will explore the history, construction, and significance of the Suez Canal in global shipping.
History of the Suez Canal
The idea of constructing a canal through the Isthmus of Suez originated in ancient times, even as early as during the reign of the Pharaohs.
One of the first efforts was by the Persian Emperor Darius I in the fifth century BC, but the project was ultimately abandoned.
In the early 19th century, several European powers became interested in building the canal to shorten the route to India.
However, the planning committee ultimately concluded that it was impossible due to the perceived engineering difficulties.
It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that a French businessman named Ferdinand de Lesseps convinced the Egyptian ruler at the time, Ismail Pasha, to finance and support the project.
Construction and Characteristics
Construction of the canal began in 1859 and took ten years to complete, with over 1.5 million laborers working on the project.
Is approximately 120 miles long, and its depth ranges from 25 feet to over 75 feet, allowing it to accommodate large ships with a maximum draft of 66 feet.
The Suez Canal contains no locks; instead, it relies on the water level from the northern terminus at Port Said and the southern terminus at Port Tawfik to operate.
The canal is divided into three sections: the northern, central, and southern sections.
The northern section is the shallowest and widest part, while the central and southern sections are narrower and deeper.
Significance in Global Shipping
Has played a crucial role in global trade since its construction, by providing a faster route between Europe and Asia, saving significant time and costs compared to the traditional Cape of Good Hope route around the southern tip of Africa.
Is a pivotal resource for shipping companies of all types and sizes and has tremendous economic and strategic significance.
The Suez Canal is also a major source of revenue for Egypt, which relies heavily on the fees collected from ships passing through the canal.
In 2021, there were over 20,000 ships passing through the canal annually, with a total tonnage of over 1.1 billion tons.
The Suez Crisis of 1956
The canal’s strategic significance was highlighted during the Suez Crisis of 1956 when Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt to secure the canal.
The crisis resulted in the United Nations General Assembly authorizing a peacekeeping force to restore Egyptian sovereignty, highlighting the importance of the canal as an international waterway.
In recent years, global trade has become even more reliant on the canal.
However, the its impact on trade flows was brought into sharp relief in March 2021, when the Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container ships, ran aground and blocked the canal for almost a week.
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of global trade to unexpected disruptions and led to significant delays and supply chain disruptions.
Conclusion
The Suez Canal is a vital artery of global trade, providing a critical link between Europe and Asia and saving significant time and costs for shipping companies worldwide.
The canal’s economic and strategic significance remains essential today, as the global economy continues to become more interconnected, and trade volumes continue to increase.
While the 2021 incident has highlighted the canal’s vulnerability to unexpected disruptions, it remains a crucial resource for the global shipping industry, with millions of tons of cargo passing through it every year.
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