How Suez Canal Will Continue to Change the Mediterranean Sea

Since its opening, Suez Canal has shaped Egypt’s history and become a major lifeline for the world's economy.

The canal is a short, artificial shipping route linking the Mediterranean and Red seas. It stretches from the Egyptian city of Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea to the Port of Suez on the Red Sea.

Since its inception and until today, the canal is the main gateway for the global trade movement and a prime shipping destination due to its unique and geographical position. The canal serves as a bridge between Asia and Europe.

In the 19th century, major European powers saw the canal as a key shortcut for trade routes going to India and southern Asia. This shortcut would spare them precious time and money for their trade expeditions.

In 2015, Suez Canal was expanded to allow for two-way traffic along the route. Over time, the depth has been raised to 24 meters.

The extension was meant to cut the waiting time for ships passing through the waterway to three hours instead of eight. The eight-billion-dollar project was completed in just one year and was funded by Egyptians through certificates of deposits.

The extension of Suez Canal is part of a multi-billion-dollar ambitious development scheme designed to turn Egypt into a global trade and logistics hub. The project features six ports and four industrial zones.

The Egyptian government expects annual revenues from Suez Canal to hit 13.2 billion by the year 2023. This will far exceed the 5.9 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2018-19.