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Suez Canal

Artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt

The Suez Canal is a vital trade route connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Built from 1859 to 1869, it offers a shortcut for vessels traveling between Europe and Asia, saving thousands of kilometers. The canal is operated by the Suez Canal Authority and has played a significant military strategic role.

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Timeline

Renovation and Abandonment of Necho II's Canal

Darius and Trajan renovated Pharaoh Necho II's canal, but due to navigational challenges, it was eventually abandoned.

Survey of the Isthmus of Suez

In 1798, during the French campaign in Egypt, engineers led by J-B. Le Père were ordered to dig the isthmus as part of a project. Le Père's survey concluded that the Red Sea level was higher than the Mediterranean, causing a setback of fifty years.

Napoleon's Canal Plan

In 1799, studies began for Napoleon's canal plan to connect the Mediterranean and Red Seas. However, a mistake in measurement revealed that the sea levels were too different for the canal to be feasible, leading to immediate halt in construction.

Floatation of Suez Canal

On 5th November 1857, the Suez Canal's share price was set at Frf 500, and more than half of the available shares were purchased.

Establishment of the Universal Company of the Maritime Canal of Suez

The Universal Company of the Maritime Canal of Suez was founded on December 5th, 1858, with a capital of 200 million Francs. Egypt took a loan to purchase shares reserved for other countries after they refused to participate in the public offering.

Official Start of Suez Canal Construction

The construction of the Suez Canal officially commenced on April 25, 1859. It was a massive project that involved moving 2,613 million cubic feet of earth, with an estimated cost of 200 million francs.

Opening of the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal, connecting the Red and Mediterranean seas, officially opened on November 17, 1869, after a ten-year construction period.

Napoleon III supports the canal project after meeting with Ferdinand de Lesseps

In 1862, Napoleon III declared his official support for the canal project after a meeting with Ferdinand de Lesseps.

Ban on Forced Labor in Suez Canal Construction

In 1863, the use of forced labor in the construction of the Suez Canal was prohibited by Pasha, leading to the introduction of modern machinery for the project.

Inauguration of the Suez Canal

The meeting of the water of the two seas on August 18th, 1869 marked the birth of the Suez Canal, described as 'the artery of prosperity for Egypt and the world'. The legendary inauguration ceremony took place on November 17th, 1869, with notable guests and a procession of ships.

Inauguration of the Suez Canal

On November 16, 1869, the Suez Canal was officially opened, connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, providing a crucial shortcut for maritime trade.

Official Opening of the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal was officially opened on November 17, 1869, after ten years of construction. The completion of the canal was a major achievement in connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, providing a crucial trade route.

British Purchase of Suez Canal Shares

On February 15, 1875, British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli purchased 44% of the Suez Canal shares from Khedive Ismail, giving Britain financial control over the Company along with France. This purchase significantly impacted Egypt's share of profits from the Canal.

British Occupation of Egypt

Between May and September of 1882, following the Urabi Revolt, the British successfully occupied Egypt, seized the Suez Canal facilities, and halted traffic through it for a period. This occupation had significant implications for the control and operation of the Canal.

Constantinople Convention Agreement for Suez Canal Navigation

The Constantinople Convention on October 29, 1888, involved France, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, and Turkey agreeing to establish a system ensuring freedom of navigation through the Suez Canal.

Increase in Ship Draft and Water Sector

In May 1952, the draft of ships in the Suez Canal increased to 38 feet, and the water sector expanded to 1800 meters.

Treaty removing Britain's military presence from the Canal Zone

In 1954, a seven-year treaty was brokered to remove Britain's military presence from the Suez Canal Zone.

Britain cedes Suez Canal to Egypt

Britain agrees to hand over control of the Suez Canal to Egypt as part of a new treaty, with a two-year period set for complete withdrawal.

General Nasser bars Israeli shipping from Suez Canal

On March 15, 1956, General Nasser issued a decree banning Israeli ships from passing through the Suez Canal, escalating tensions in the region.

First British ship pays Egyptian toll for use of the Suez Canal

On April 19, 1956, the first British ship paid the Egyptian toll for using the Suez Canal, marking a significant event during the Suez Crisis.

Nationalization of Suez Canal by President Gamal Abdel Nasser

President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal in a historic speech in Alexandria on July 6, 1956. The decree transferred all assets, rights, and obligations of the Suez Maritime Canal Company to the Egyptian nation.

USA Statement on High Dam Construction

The USA emphasized in a statement issued on July 19, 1956, that it found the construction of the High Dam impractical for Egypt due to doubts about Egypt's capabilities and economic strength.

John Foster Dulles Response to Egypt's High Dam Financing

US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles responded to the Ambassador of Egypt on July 20, 1956, stating that the US government was no longer willing to finance the High Dam project due to concerns about Egypt's weak economy.

President Nasser announces plan to nationalize Suez Canal

On July 26, 1956, President Nasser declared a plan to nationalize the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.

Britain freezes Egyptian assets

Britain took the action of freezing Egyptian assets on July 28, 1956, in response to President Nasser's nationalization plan of the Suez Canal.

Collapse of Conference Talks on Suez Canal Control

General Nasser's refusal to allow international control of the Suez Canal leads to the collapse of conference talks.

Egypt Takes Full Control of Suez Canal

Egypt gains full control of the Suez Canal.

Dr. Mahmoud Fawzi's Speech at the UN General Assembly

Dr. Mahmoud Fawzi defended Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal Company at the UN General Assembly, citing the country's right to use its resources for the welfare of its people and sovereignty over its land.

The Suez Crisis began on October 29, 1956, when Israel invaded the Sinai Peninsula, leading to military engagements between Egypt, the UK, France, and Israel. The crisis escalated due to the nationalisation of the Suez Canal by Egypt.

British and French Invasion of the Canal Zone

On November 6, 1956, British and French troops successfully invaded the Canal Zone during the Suez Crisis, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election where Eisenhower was re-elected.

Victory of the Suez War

On December 23, 1956, the Suez War ended with the victory of Egypt and the canal against the Tripartite Aggression, contributing to the liberation and end of colonies worldwide.

Reopening of the Suez Canal after Clearing Sunk Ships

On March 29, 1957, the Suez Canal resumed navigation after successfully clearing the waterway of sunken ships, marking a significant victory.

Compensation Payment for Nationalization

Egypt fulfilled its duties by paying compensations to stakeholders for the nationalization of establishment quotas and shares, totaling L.E 28300000 in foreign currency.

Transit of Birghaven

The Norwegian oil tanker 'Birghaven' transited the Suez Canal, being the largest ship to transit at the time. It underwent successful trials at the SCA Research Center in Ismailia before being permitted to transit.

Anwar El-Sadat Re-opens Suez Canal

President Anwar El-Sadat announced the re-opening of the Suez Canal in a historical speech before the People’s Assembly on March 29th, 1975. He emphasized the importance of the Canal as a path towards prosperity and peace.

Re-opening of the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal was re-opened on June 5th, 1975, marking a significant event in the history of the canal.

Development of the Suez Canal

By 2001, the Egyptian administration of the Suez Canal had developed it to accommodate ships with a load capacity of 210,000 tons and a ship draft of 191.80 kilometers. The canal was also redesigned with curved paths and a new bypass to improve navigation.

Expansion of the Ballah Bypass and the New Suez Canal

In 2014, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt, ordered the expansion of the Ballah Bypass to create the New Suez Canal, allowing ships to transit in both directions simultaneously. The project cost over $9 billion and was completed within a year.

Opening of the New Suez Canal

The New Suez Canal, functional since 6 August 2015, features a new parallel canal in the middle part, extending over 35 kilometers. This expansion has increased the capacity and efficiency of the Suez Canal.

Ever Given blocking the Suez Canal

On 23 March 2021, the ultra-large container ship Ever Given blocked the Suez Canal in both directions after running aground. The incident caused a major disruption to global trade and shipping routes.

Opening of the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal, a significant man-made waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, was officially opened on this date.

End of the Timeline
Suez Canal

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