What is the Suez Canal, When Was It Built? Where is the Suez Canal? How Long Is The Suez Canal?

The Suez Canal is on the world's agenda after the ship named Ever Given stopped the sea traffic of the canal completely and damaged the world trade. The Suez Canal, which enables sea transportation between Asia and Europe without the need to travel around Africa, is known as the longest channel in the world without gates.

The Suez Canal is the channel that connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and was opened during the Ottoman rule of Egypt.

Suez Canal History

The idea of ​​connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea goes back to the period of the Pharaohs in the First Age. Pharaoh II. Opened in the time of Ramses, the canal was later filled with sand and became unusable. The main route of the canal, which was opened during the pharaohs, was repaired and used at various times during the Romans and Islamic rule. On the order of Caliph Omar, the governor of Egypt, Amr bin As, the canal was repaired and this channel was used until the 8th century.

In the 16th century, the Portuguese crossed the Indian Ocean and took control of the Spice Road and started threatening the Ottoman lands in the east. In the face of this danger, Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmet Pasha and Captain-i Derya Kılıç Ali Pasha attempted to open a channel that would connect the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. However, these attempts failed for various reasons.

Napoleon thought of opening a canal here after he invaded Egypt. But the French Engineer Le Pere, who was assigned to him, made an erroneous measurement and said that the Red Sea was 10 meters higher than the Mediterranean. For this reason, Napoleon gave up his idea.

The construction of the Suez Canal was started by a French company during the time of Said Pasha, the Egyptian Governor of the Ottoman Empire. The canal was completed in 1869 by the Egyptian governor Ismail Pasha. Opposing the opening of the Suez Canal, Britain invaded Egypt in 1882 and took control of the Canal. The Ottoman Empire organized 1st and 2nd channel operations in order to reclaim the Suez Canal during the First World War. However, these operations failed.

Located in the west of the Sinai Peninsula, the Canal is 193,3 kilometers long and its narrowest point is 313 meters wide. The canal allows sea transport between Asia and Europe without the need to travel around Africa.

It is among the most important waterways in the world. The necessity of building such a channel arose because the old sailors had covered a very long distance and distance in trade.

It is the longest channel without caps in the world. Compared to other channels, the accident rate is almost zero. It is possible to pass day and night.

The revival of the maritime trade between the Southern European countries and the Persian Gulf countries is a situation that will enable the Suez Canal to increase its importance in world trade.

The ship named Ever Given, which lost control while passing through the canal in March 2021, completely stopped the maritime traffic in the Suez Canal. It is estimated that blocking the canal route of this ship causes $ 10 billion in damage to world trade every day. Depending on the duration of the canal obstruction, it is estimated that products used in daily life such as toilet paper may experience shortages. In many circles, the blockage of the canal may damage the reputation of the Suez Canal and cause the re-activation of terrestrial trade routes such as the historical Silk Road.

The development process of the channel

• In 1869, the channel length was 164 km and the channel depth was 8 m.
• The maximum size of the ship allowed to pass through the channel between 1869-1956 was determined as 22 ft draft and 5000 DWT loaded weight.
• Until 1956, the channel length was 175 km, the channel depth was 14 meters, the width of the channel on the surface was 148 meters, and the width at 11 meters was 60 meters.
• Between 1956 and 1962, the size of the ship allowed to pass through the channel was changed to 35 ft draft maximum and 30000 DWT loaded weight.
• Until 1962, the canal depth was increased to 15.5 m, and the channel width of 11 m to 89 m.
• Between 1962 and 1980, the size of the ship allowed to pass through the channel was changed to 38 ft draft maximum and 60000 DWT loaded weight.
• Until 1980, the channel length was 189.80 km, the channel depth was 19.5 m, the width of the channel on the surface was 263 m, and the width at 11 m depth was 160/175 meters.
• Between 1980 and 1994, the size of the ship allowed to pass through the channel was changed to 53 ft draft maximum and 150000 DWT loaded weight.
• Until 1994, the channel depth was increased to 20.5 m, and the channel width of 11 m to 170/190 m.
• Between 1994 and 1996, the size of the ship allowed to pass through the channel was changed to 56 ft draft maximum and 170000 DWT loaded weight.
• Until 1996, the channel depth was increased to 21 m, and the channel width of 11 m to 180/200 m.
• Between 1996 and 2001, the size of the ship allowed to pass through the channel was changed to 58 ft draft maximum and 185000 DWT loaded weight.
• Until 2001, the channel length was 191.80 km, the channel depth was 22.5 m, the width of the channel on the surface was 303 m, and the width at 11 m depth was 195/215 meters.
• Between 2001 and 2010, the size of the ship allowed to pass through the channel was changed to 62 ft draft maximum and 210000 DWT loaded weight.
• Since 2010, the canal length is 193,3 km, the channel depth is 24 m, the width of the channel on the surface is 313 m, and the width at 11 m depth is 205/225 m.
• Since 2010, the size of the ship allowed to pass through the channel has been changed to a maximum of 66 ft of draft and a loaded weight of 240000 DWT. These dimensions are the limit measurements used today. 
• 2015 After a year of work, the new administration of Egypt opened the second channel, which was built in parallel with a part of the channel on 6 August 2015.