The Suez Canal – Connecting Asia and Europe

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Although this route is highly efficient, its narrow locks restrict daily vessel traffic, resulting in delays for some ships. The canal operates through a lock system that raises ships using water from a lake. These limitations can cause vessels to anchor for extended periods, sometimes days or weeks. However, ongoing expansions aim to address this by adding new locks on both sides to accommodate the next generation of container ships.


The Suez Canal provides a crucial link between Asia and Europe, providing the turkey phone number list shortest and fastest way to travel between the two continents. It joins the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, bypassing the need for ships to travel around Africa’s southern tip. This reduces travel time from weeks to just a few hours. Over 100 ships used the canal daily in 2023, underscoring its importance to global trade.

The canal’s importance was particularly highlighted in 2021 when a huge container ship accidentally blocked it, causing significant disruptions to trade and a sudden increase in crude oil prices by 4%. Despite its vulnerability to blockages, the Suez Canal remains indispensable. Its strategic location makes it a major route for transporting oil, particularly from the Middle East to Europe. The shortened route reduces emissions and shipping costs, making it a popular choice for shipping lines.