An artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, Suez canal.
Gautham S
Satellite image of Ever Given blocking the canal on 24 March 2021 | credits: Wikipedia
An artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, Suez canal, is now gaining attention of world once again. 400-metre long giant cargo ship blocks Suez canal, after losing control while entering the narrow passage from Red sea, causing pause to trade.
It's a look back to the story of Suez canal.
Aerial view of the Suez Canal at Suez | credits: Wikipedia
Constructed by: Suez Canal Company
Speed limit through canal: 11 km/h - 16 km/h depending on vessel type and tonnage
The world's largest man made canal is Suez Canal. It is located in Egypt, connecting Mediterranean Sea to Red Sea, dividing Asian continent from Africa.
The construction of canal began on 1859. Construction of canal across Cape of Panama pave way to Suez canal. Studies were conducted between 1834 and 1846. In year 1854, French diplomat, Ferdinand de Lesseps took permission from Sa'id Pasha, Khedive of Egypt and Sudan and later in year 1855, when permission was granted, starting Suez Canal Company.
1859 was the year in which construction of Suez canal started and it took 10 years to complete construction of it's first phase covering 164 km.
Gamal Abdul Nasser, President of Egypt | credits: Wikipedia
Suez Crisis
President of Egypt (1956), Gamal Abdul Nasser on July 26, 1956, nationalized Suez Canal Company. Refusal to support construction of Aswan Dam by United States and Britain lead to nationalisation. Association of Egypt with Soviet Union was beginning.
US, Britain, France, Israel were most effected by this, leading countries turning against Egypt. This is described in history as Suez Crisis.
During Arab-Israeli War in 1967, passage through canal was paused and later in year 1967 it was opened.
Yearly around 19,000 ships are passing through the canal, with an daily average of 50 ships. Suez Canal Area Development Project in 2014 covering a length of 35 km is one reason behind increased traffic through canal. This project was launched on 5th August 2014 by President Abdel Fattah Al- Sisi and completed in 2015.
Tugboats trying to free the jammed ship, as viewed from the International Space Station, 27 March | credits: Wikipedia
400-metre long giant cargo ship of Taiwanese container transportation and shipping company, Evergreen Marine Corporation, slipped of its path, blocking passage through canal on March 24. Ship carried a load of 2.19 lakh ton.