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What is the News?
A 400 m long “Ever Given vessel” blocked the Suez Canal. The ship blocked the canal due to a lack of visibility created by the bad weather and a sand storm. The officials are still not able to clear the Vessel. So they temporarily suspended the traffic.
About the Suez Canal:
- Suez Canal is a sea-level waterway running north-south across the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt to connect the Mediterranean and the Red seas. The canal separates the African continent from Asia.
Significance of the Suez Canal:
- Suez Canal is actually the first canal that directly links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
- The Suez Canal is also important because it is the shortest maritime route from Europe to Asia.
- Alternative Route: An alternative route to the Suez Canal is through the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa. But this route takes two weeks longer than the Suez Canal Route.
- Operated by: The United Kingdom and France owned the canal until 1956 when the President of Egypt nationalized it. Since then, the canal is operated and maintained by the Suez Canal Authority(SCA).
- Trade: Suez Canal is one of the world’s busiest and important trade route. About 12% of global trade passes through it.
Source: Indian Express
