The last Israeli soldiers leave the west bank of the Suez Canal pursuant to a truce with Egypt.

The Suez Canal, known in Arabic as Qanātu as-Suways (قَنَاةُ ٱلسُّوَيْسِ), stands as one of the world's most vital man-made waterways, a testament to human ingenuity in connecting disparate parts of the globe. This artificial sea-level passage, located entirely within Egypt, serves as a crucial link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Its construction through the narrow Isthmus of Suez not only provides an indispensable trade route between Europe and Asia but also symbolically and geographically divides the continents of Africa and Asia.

A Vision Realized: Construction and Opening of the Suez Canal

The ambitious project to carve a direct maritime link was spearheaded by Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French diplomat, who in 1858 formed the Suez Canal Company. This pioneering enterprise was established with the singular purpose of bringing this monumental vision to life. Construction officially commenced in 1859 and spanned a decade of arduous work, finally reaching completion in 1869. The world celebrated its grand opening on November 17, 1869, an event that instantly reshaped global trade and navigation.

Revolutionizing Global Trade and Navigation

The impact of the Suez Canal was immediate and profound. It offered vessels a direct, unobstructed route between the North Atlantic Ocean and the northern Indian Ocean, bypassing the lengthy and often treacherous journey around the southern tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope). This shortcut through the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea dramatically reduced travel distances. For instance, the voyage from the Arabian Sea to London was cut by approximately 8,900 kilometers (5,500 miles). In practical terms, this meant a saving of about 10 days for a ship traveling at 20 knots (37 km/h) or even 8 days at 24 knots (44 km/h), translating into significant savings in fuel, time, and operational costs for shipping companies worldwide.

Geographically, the Suez Canal stretches from its northern terminus at Port Said down to its southern terminus at Port Tewfik, located near the city of Suez. Its total length, including the essential northern and southern access channels, measures approximately 193.30 kilometers (120.11 miles). The canal's strategic importance is underscored by its continuous heavy traffic; in 2020 alone, over 18,500 vessels traversed this critical waterway, averaging more than 51 ships per day.

Operational Design and Early Features

The original design of the Suez Canal, based on Alois Negrelli's plans, featured a single-lane waterway, ingeniously incorporating passing locations at the Ballah Bypass and within the vast expanse of the Great Bitter Lake. A key engineering aspect was the absence of lock systems; being a sea-level canal, seawater flowed freely through it, driven by natural tidal forces and seasonal variations. Generally, water in the canal north of the Bitter Lakes flows northward in winter and southward in summer. South of the lakes, the current's direction changes in sync with the tide at Suez.

A Crucible of Geopolitics: Ownership, Nationalization, and Conflicts

While the Suez Canal was fundamentally the property of the Egyptian government, its operation until July 1956 was managed by a concessionary company predominantly owned by European shareholders, primarily British and French entities. This arrangement became a flashpoint when, in a bold move, President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt nationalized the canal. This decision precipitated the infamous Suez Crisis of October–November 1956, a significant geopolitical event that reshaped international relations and highlighted the canal's immense strategic value.

Today, the canal is operated and meticulously maintained by the state-owned Suez Canal Authority (SCA) of Egypt. Its international status is governed by the Convention of Constantinople, which stipulates that the Suez Canal must remain open "in time of war as in time of peace, by every vessel of commerce or of war, without distinction of flag." Despite this, the canal has repeatedly demonstrated its role as a crucial military strategic asset, often functioning as a naval shortcut and a critical choke point. Nations with dual coastlines and naval bases on both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, such as Egypt and Israel, naturally maintain a profound interest in its operational status. Tragically, the canal was closed for precisely eight years after Egypt shut it at the outset of the Six-Day War on June 5, 1967, only reopening to international navigation on June 5, 1975.

Modern Expansions: The "New Suez Canal" and Enhanced Capacity

Recognizing the growing demands of global trade routes and the need for increased efficiency, the Egyptian government embarked on a significant expansion project in 2014. This ambitious undertaking aimed to deepen and widen the existing Ballah Bypass for 35 kilometers (22 miles), with the primary goal of substantially speeding up transit times. The expansion was designed to nearly double the Suez Canal's daily capacity, from 49 to an impressive 97 ships. Costing 59.4 billion Egyptian pounds (approximately US$9 billion), this project was funded through interest-bearing investment certificates issued exclusively to Egyptian entities and individuals, demonstrating a national commitment to the canal's future. This "New Suez Canal," as the expansion was dubbed, was ceremonially opened on August 6, 2015, marking a new era of enhanced capability for the waterway.

Further enhancing its infrastructure, the Suez Canal Authority officially opened a new side channel in 2016. This channel, situated on the northern side of the canal's east extension, specifically serves the East Terminal, facilitating the berthing and unberthing of vessels. Prior to its construction, given the East Container Terminal's direct location on the canal, it was impossible for vessels to dock or depart while a convoy was in transit, highlighting the practical improvements brought by these modernizations.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Suez Canal

What is the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal is a vital artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, enabling direct maritime trade between Europe and Asia without circumnavigating Africa.
Where is the Suez Canal located?
It is located entirely within Egypt, traversing the Isthmus of Suez and geographically dividing Africa and Asia.
When was the Suez Canal built and opened?
Construction of the canal lasted from 1859 to 1869, and it officially opened on November 17, 1869.
Who built the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal Company, formed by Ferdinand de Lesseps, oversaw its construction.
Why is the Suez Canal important?
It is incredibly important because it provides a direct, time-saving, and cost-efficient trade route between Europe and Asia, significantly shortening journeys for international shipping and playing a critical geopolitical role.
Who owns and operates the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal is owned by the Egyptian government and is operated and maintained by the state-owned Suez Canal Authority (SCA) of Egypt.
How long is the Suez Canal?
Including its northern and southern access channels, the canal is approximately 193.30 kilometers (120.11 miles) long.
What is the "New Suez Canal"?
The "New Suez Canal" refers to a major expansion project completed in 2015 that widened and deepened sections of the existing canal, particularly the Ballah Bypass, to significantly increase its capacity and reduce transit times for vessels.