Suez Canal is situated in Egypt. It is the man made canal lies between Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea. Total length of the canal is about 193 km and width is about 205 meters.
Construction of Canal had started in 1859 and construction of canal had completed on august 1869. The whole canal had required 10 years to construct. Total 1.5 million workers had been worked for the construction work.
The Suez Canal is a crucial canal for transporting cargo between Asia and Europe. It connects the two continents, allowing ships to travel directly instead of going around Africa.
If a ship wants to go from Mumbai to London by sailing around the African continent, it would need to cover a distance of around 17,000 kilometers. However, by using the Suez Canal, the distance is significantly reduced to about 10,000 kilometers.
This shorter route through the Suez Canal saves a lot of time and transportation costs. Ships can reach their destination faster, as they don’t have to travel the longer distance around Africa. Additionally, the reduced distance means less fuel consumption, which helps lower transportation costs.
History of Suez Canal:
Ancient Times:
In ancient times, Egyptians created a canal connecting the Nile River to the Red Sea, enabling trade and navigation between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
Pharaohs like Senusret III and Necho II attempted to construct a canal or waterway in the same region.
Modern Canal:
In the 19th century, with the advancement of technology and transportation, the idea of constructing a modern canal resurfaced.
French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps spearheaded the project and obtained a concession from Egypt’s ruler, Said Pasha, to construct the Suez Canal.
Construction began in 1859 and involved extensive manual labor by Egyptian workers.
The canal was completed and officially opened for navigation in November 1869.
Early Operations:
The Suez Canal quickly became a crucial trade route; significantly reducing the time and distance required sailing between Europe and Asia.
It facilitated the transportation of goods, particularly valuable resources like spices, textiles, and oil.
The British government, recognizing its strategic importance, purchased shares in the Suez Canal Company in 1875, gaining a significant stake in its operations.
Nationalization and Suez Crisis:
In 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, asserting Egypt’s sovereignty over the waterway.
This move angered Britain, France, and Israel, who saw their interests and control threatened.
In response, these nations launched a military campaign against Egypt, known as the Suez Crisis, to regain control of the canal.
However, international pressure and the threat of intervention from the United States and the Soviet Union forced the aggressors to withdraw.
Modern Developments:
Following the Suez Crisis, the Suez Canal remained under Egyptian control, and international shipping continued to utilize the waterway.
In 2015, Egypt completed a major expansion project to widen and deepen the canal, allowing for larger vessels and increasing its capacity.
The Suez Canal remains an essential trade route, facilitating the transportation of goods between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The Suez Canal, an important waterway in Egypt, has been blocked on a few occasions.
In 1956, there was a conflict called the Suez Crisis, which caused the canal to be blocked. From 1967 to 1979, during the Arab-Israeli war, the canal was closed again. More recently, in 2021, a big ship named Ever Given got stuck in the canal, causing a blockage.
Currently, the Egyptian government charges a toll for ships passing through the Suez Canal. The toll is based on a system that takes into account various factors such as the size of the vessel, its tonnage, and the type of cargo it carries.
The tolls are calculated using a measurement called “Suez Canal Net Tonnage” (SCNT). This measurement takes into consideration the ship’s total internal volume, including cargo, fuel, and other supplies. The tolls are typically charged per SCNT unit.
The exact toll rates can vary and are subject to periodic adjustments by the Suez Canal Authority, which manages the canal. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the tolls for a typical cargo ship can range from around $70,000 to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on its size and cargo.
Alternative route of Suez Canal for India:
Presently India and Egypt is sharing good diplomatic relations, but some event has been happened recently due to which India has found need to search alternative for Suez Canal.
Reason to find alternate route of Suez Canal:
- Recently, G20 summit 2023 had hosted by India. Meeting hold in Kashmir had been boycotted by the Egypt. This shows anti India attitude of Egypt.
- Egypt is the part of Belt and Road initiative of China. This shows pro-China attitude of the Egypt.
Actually, in year 2000 International North-south transport corridor route had been proposed. In 2002 India, Russia and Iran had engaged in the agreement for INSTC. Later in 2005 Azerbaijan had signed the agreement.
The route starts in India, where goods are transported by road or rail to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf. From there, they can continue by road or rail through Iran, passing through cities like Tehran and Rasht. In Azerbaijan, the route goes through the city of Astara, near the border with Iran, and connects to the Caspian Sea.
Once at the Caspian Sea, goods can be transported by sea to various ports in Azerbaijan, Russia, and other countries bordering the Caspian Sea. These ports include Baku (Azerbaijan), Astrakhan (Russia), and Aktau (Kazakhstan), among others.
From the Caspian Sea ports, the INSTC offers rail and road connections that lead further into Europe. Rail routes can continue through Russia, passing through cities such as Volgograd, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. Road connections can also be utilized, linking up with existing transportation networks in these regions.
It aims to provide a more efficient and cost-effective trade route, reducing transportation time and costs for goods traveling between Asia and Europe.
The route is still incomplete due to sanction imposed on the country Russia and Iran.
Conclusion:
In summary, the Suez Canal has played a vital role in connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, enabling trade and navigation between continents. From its ancient origins to its modern-day significance, the canal continues to be a crucial international waterway facilitating global commerce.
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