Datastream

Suez Canal: Critical Waterway Comes to a Halt

Published

4 years ago

March 25, 2021

Marcus Lu

Suez canal map

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The Briefing

The Suez Canal is one of the world’s most important waterways, connecting Asia and Europe
On March 23, 2021, the Ever Given container ship ran aground, blocking transit in both directions

The Suez Canal: A Critical Waterway Comes to a Halt

On March 23, 2021, a massive ship named Ever Given became lodged in the Suez Canal, completely blocking traffic in both directions. According to the Suez Canal Authority, the 1,312 foot long (400 m) container ship ran aground during a sandstorm that caused low visibility, impacting the ship’s navigation. The vessel is owned by Taiwanese shipping firm, Evergreen Marine.

With over 200 vessels halted on either side of the canal, authorities are scrambling to dislodge the container ship and resume normal operations. This has proven to be a difficult task so far, and experts are warning that the process could take weeks.

What is the Suez Canal?

Constructed in 1869, the Suez Canal is an Egyptian sea-level waterway that provides a vital shipping route between Europe and Asia. Without this route, ships would need to sail around Africa, adding an entire week to their trips.

The connecting link between two important regional economies, the canal facilitates a significant amount of trade. The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) reported that 19,000 vessels—averaging to 52 a day—had sailed through its waters in 2020.

Year	Number of Vessels	Amount of Cargo (Tons)
2011	17,800	692M
2012	17,224	740M
2013	16,596	754M
2014	17,148	822M
2015	17,483	823M
2016	16,833	819M
2017	17,550	909M
2018	18,174	983M
2019	18,880	1,031M
2020	18,829	1,170M

The total volume of cargo being transported through the canal has increased steadily in recent years. This includes consumer goods, dry-bulk cargo such as grain and minerals, and oil products.

Implications of the Blockage

The blockage of such an important shipping route is bound to have consequences. According to Lloyd’s List, each day the Suez Canal is closed disrupts over $9 billion worth of goods trade.

European officials have also voiced concern about longer-term impacts, particularly after the blockage is cleared. A sudden influx of ships could cause massive congestion at European ports and further disrupt supply chains.

»Want to learn more? Check out this infographic on global shipping container traffic.

Where does this data come from?

Source: Suez Canal Authority, Vesselfinder.com, BBC, CNN, Lloyds List