Construction of the new suez canal

The New Suez Canal is a 35-kilometer (22-mile) long canal that was constructed in Egypt to increase the capacity and efficiency of the Suez Canal, one of the most important waterways in the world. The project was completed in 2015 and was officially inaugurated on August 6, 2015.

Background: The original Suez Canal, which was built by the Suez Canal Company between 1859 and 1869, was a single-lane canal that was 193 kilometers (120 miles) long. Over the years, the canal's capacity had become insufficient to meet the growing demand for international trade, particularly with the increasing size of container ships and the rise of global trade.

Construction: The construction of the New Suez Canal began in 2014 and was carried out by the Suez Canal Authority, which is responsible for the management and operation of the canal. The project involved the construction of a new parallel canal that would run alongside the existing canal, allowing for the simultaneous passage of ships in both directions.

The construction process involved the following steps:

  1. Excavation: The new canal was excavated using a combination of mechanical and manual methods, including dredging, blasting, and excavation by hand.
  2. Land reclamation: The project involved the reclamation of approximately 240 hectares (600 acres) of land from the Mediterranean Sea and the Great Bitter Lake.
  3. Construction of the canal's banks: The banks of the new canal were constructed using a combination of concrete, steel, and rock.
  4. Installation of locks: The new canal features three sets of locks, each with a capacity to handle ships of up to 250,000 tons.
  5. Construction of the canal's approaches: The approaches to the new canal were constructed to allow for the safe and efficient passage of ships.

Features: The New Suez Canal has several features that make it more efficient and safer than the original canal:

  1. Increased capacity: The new canal has a capacity to handle 12% more traffic than the original canal.
  2. Simultaneous passage: The new canal allows for the simultaneous passage of ships in both directions, reducing congestion and increasing efficiency.
  3. Deeper draft: The new canal has a deeper draft than the original canal, allowing for the passage of larger ships.
  4. Improved navigation: The new canal features improved navigation systems, including advanced radar and communication systems.
  5. Increased security: The new canal has improved security features, including the use of advanced surveillance systems and increased security personnel.

Impact: The construction of the New Suez Canal has had several impacts on the global economy and international trade:

  1. Increased trade: The new canal has increased the capacity of the Suez Canal, allowing for the passage of more ships and increasing global trade.
  2. Reduced congestion: The new canal has reduced congestion in the original canal, allowing for faster and more efficient passage of ships.
  3. Increased revenue: The new canal has increased revenue for the Suez Canal Authority, which is used to maintain and improve the canal.
  4. Job creation: The construction of the new canal created thousands of jobs, both during the construction phase and in the long term.

Challenges: The construction of the New Suez Canal was not without challenges. Some of the challenges faced during the project included:

  1. Environmental concerns: The project raised concerns about the impact on the environment, particularly the Great Bitter Lake and the Mediterranean Sea.
  2. Cost overruns: The project experienced cost overruns, which were attributed to changes in the project scope and unforeseen geological conditions.
  3. Delays: The project experienced delays, which were attributed to the complexity of the construction process and the need for additional funding.

Conclusion: The construction of the New Suez Canal was a major infrastructure project that has increased the capacity and efficiency of the Suez Canal. The project has had several impacts on the global economy and international trade, including increased trade, reduced congestion, and increased revenue. While the project faced several challenges, it has been hailed as a major success and a testament to the engineering and construction capabilities of Egypt and the Suez Canal Authority.