About Suez Canal
Suez Canal Traffic Simulation:

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Saving in distance via the Canal and the Cape:

From

To

Distance
 ( Nautical  miles )

Saving

SC

Cape

Miles

%

Ras Tanura

Constanza

4144

12094

7950

66 %

Lavera

4684

10783

6099

57 %

Rotterdam

6436

11169

4733

42 %

New Orleans

9645

12299

2654

22 %

Jeddah

Piraeus  

1320

11207

9887

88 %

Rotterdam

6337

10743

4406

41 %

Tokyo

Rotterdam

11192

14507

3315

23 %

Singapore

Rotterdam

8288

11755

3647

29 %

Advantages of Suez Canal:
  • Longest Canal in world with no locks.
  • Percentage of accidents is almost nil Compared with other waterways.
  • Navigation goes day and night.
  • Liable to be widened and deepened when required to cope with the expansion in ship size.
  • The VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management System) has been introduced. It is a very accurate electronic system envisaging a most up to date radar network.
  • The Suez Canal can now accommodate all mammoth tanker in service on their ballast trips.
Importance of the Suez Canal:
  • The unique geographical position of the Suez Canal makes it of special importance to the world and to Egypt as well.
  • This importance is getting augmented with the evolution of maritime transport and world trade.
  • The maritime transport is the cheapest means of transport, whereas more 80% of the world trade volume is transported by means of sea routes.
  • Saving in time and in operation costs for vessels that transit the Canal, also consolidate this importance.
Historical Outline:

Egypt was the first country to dig a man–made canal across its lands to connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea via the River Nile and its branches, and the first who dug it was Senausret III, pharaoh of Egypt (1874 B.C.) This Canal was abandoned to silting and reopened several times as follows:

  • Canal fo Sity I: 1310 B.C.
  • Canal of Nkhaw: 610 B.C.
  • Canal of Darius I: 510 B.C.
  • Canal of Ptolemy II: 285 B.C.
  • Canal of the Romans: 117 B.C.
  • Canal of Amir El Moemeneen: 640 A.D.

 

Following the Islamic conquest and remained open for 150 years.

  • The Suez Canal is actually the first Canal directly linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.  It was opened for international navigation on 17 November 1869.
  • Egypt nationalized its Canal on 26 July 1956.
  • The Canal was closed five times, the last time was most serious since it lasted for 8 years.
  • The Canal was then reopened for navigation on 5 Jun 1975.
Characteristics of the Present Canal:

Overall Length

190.25km

From the fairway buoy to Port-Said lighthouse

19.50km

From the waiting area to the southern entrance

8.50km

From Port-Said to Ismailia

78.50km

From Ismailia to Port-Tewfik

83.75km

The length of double parts

78km

Width at water level (North / South)

345 / 280m

Width between buoys (North / South)

210 / 195m

Maximum permissible draught for ships

62ft

Cross sectional area (North/South)         

4800 / 4350m2

Maximum deadweight tonnage

210000tons

Permissible speed for loaded Tankers

14km/hr

Permissible speed for ballast Tankers and ships

13km/hr

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