April 25th anniversary
On April 25, 1859, construction began on the Suez Canal, a project that would positively impact the global economy. Discover its fascinating history.
The construction of the Suez Canal, which began on April 25, 1859, represents one of the most ambitious and transformative engineering projects in history. Connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, this canal revolutionized global trade by dramatically reducing travel time between Europe and Asia, allowing ships to avoid the long and dangerous journey around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa.
Background and Vision of the Project
Since ancient times, there has been a desire to connect the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. The idea of a canal was not new: the Egyptian pharaoh Sennacherib and other ancient emperors and pharaohs had already attempted to create a waterway connection between the two seas through smaller canals, although these were eventually abandoned or destroyed over time. However, the idea of a modern canal spanning the Isthmus of Suez emerged again in the 19th century, with the expansion of European trade and the desire to access Asian markets more quickly.
It was the French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps who drove the construction of the modern canal. Lesseps, a man with an ambitious vision and strong connections in Egypt, obtained a concession from the Viceroy of Egypt, Said Pasha, to build and operate the canal for 99 years. The construction of the Suez Canal was not only a promise of wealth for Egypt, but also a means of prestige and modernization.
Start of Construction and Challenges
Construction of the canal officially began on April 25, 1859, in the city of Port Said, at the northern end of the canal. However, the project faced enormous difficulties from the outset. The canal had to cross more than 160 kilometers of desert, without an abundant source of fresh water and facing extreme temperatures. Furthermore, the technology of the time was not fully adapted to a project of this magnitude, which meant that much of the initial work had to be done manually, employing thousands of workers.
The project relied heavily on Egyptian labor, and as it progressed, the number of workers increased to approximately 1.5 million. Working conditions were extremely harsh; workers faced illness, lack of clean water, grueling hours, and extreme temperatures. Thousands of workers died during construction due to the harsh conditions and diseases such as cholera.
Innovations and Completion of the Canal
As construction progressed, it became clear that manual excavation would not suffice. The project began incorporating advanced excavation technology for its time, such as steam dredges that facilitated the extraction of large quantities of sand and rock. This technological advancement accelerated the pace of construction and solved some of the most challenging problems.
On November 17, 1869, ten years after its opening, the Suez Canal was officially opened in a grand ceremony attended by world leaders and dignitaries. The canal's opening instantly transformed global trade, reducing the journey from Europe to Asia by some 7,000 kilometers. Since its opening, the Suez Canal has become one of the world's most important trade routes.
Impact and Relevance of the Canal
The economic importance of the Suez Canal was evident from the beginning. It allowed Europe to maintain more direct and rapid access to Asian colonies and markets, especially India. The canal also represented a symbol of colonial power, since it facilitated the mobility of the European empires and reinforced their commercial dominance in the region.
The canal's impact was also evident in Egypt. Although the canal generated significant revenue, it also increased Egypt's economic dependence on foreign powers. In 1875, due to financial difficulties, the Egyptian government was forced to sell its shares in the canal to the United Kingdom, consolidating British control over this important waterway and leaving Egypt in a situation of political and economic dependence.
The Suez Canal in the 20th Century and Nationalization
The Suez Canal continued to be a key trade route into the 20th century. However, in 1956, then-Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the canal. This measure sparked the "Suez Crisis," in which the United Kingdom, France, and Israel attempted to invade Egypt and retake control of the canal. However, United Nations intervention and international pressure forced foreign forces to withdraw, consolidating Egyptian control over the canal.
Today, the Suez Canal remains vital to global trade and represents a significant source of revenue for Egypt. It has been modernized and expanded to accommodate larger ships and increasing trade volumes.
The Ever Given incident
The incident of the ship stranded in the Suez Canal, starring the Ever Given In March 2021, an unexpected event caused a global impact on maritime trade. This massive container ship, operated by Taiwanese company Evergreen Marine and registered in Panama, ran aground on March 23, 2021, blocking one of the world's busiest trade routes for six days.
What caused the Ever Given to run aground?
The Ever Given, with a length of 400 meters and a capacity of 200,000 tons, was sailing towards Rotterdam when it became stuck in the canal due to a combination of factors, including strong winds Winds of up to 74 kilometers per hour and a possible lack of visibility due to sandstorms, common in the region. These meteorological factors, combined with the vessel's size, caused it to veer off course and become diagonally grounded, blocking the entire width of the canal.
Consequences of the Blockade
The grounding of the Ever Given stopped more than 400 vessels, which were stranded at both ends of the canal waiting for the route to be cleared. This event generated Losses estimated at $9.6 billion per day in global trade, according to Lloyd's List, due to delays in the delivery of oil, electronics, food and other essential goods.
The impact on supply chains was immediate: delayed deliveries led to higher freight costs and temporary shortages of some products in certain parts of the world. It also highlighted the fragility of trade routes and the global dependence on strategic points like the Suez Canal.
Rescue Operation
Freeing the Ever Given was a complex operation involving hundreds of people, including engineers and maritime salvage experts. Egyptian authorities worked alongside the Dutch company Boskalis and its subsidiary Smit Salvage, which specializes in ship salvage operations. Using dredgers, tugboats and heavy machinery, more than 30,000 cubic meters of sand were extracted in an attempt to free the ship's bow.
After several attempts and a herculean effort, the Ever Given was finally freed and moved on March 29, allowing maritime traffic to resume. The operation was closely followed worldwide, and when the canal was cleared, both Egyptian authorities and the maritime community celebrated the successful rescue.
Implications and Reflection
The Ever Given incident highlighted the vulnerability of global trade routes to unexpected events. To prevent similar situations, the expansion of certain sections of the Suez Canal and the implementation of more advanced monitoring and control systems have been suggested. It has also led many companies to reconsider their supply chain strategies and explore alternative routes.
This event served as a wake-up call regarding the world's dependence on critical infrastructure and the risks that can arise when global trade relies on transit points like the Suez Canal.
Conclusion
The construction of the Suez Canal is a testament to human ambition and innovation, but also to the social and political challenges that can arise with projects of this magnitude. Since its opening in 1869, it has been a vital artery for trade and a symbol of European influence in the Middle East, eventually becoming an icon of national sovereignty for Egypt. The canal is, in short, a vital piece of infrastructure that transformed global trade and remains a significant part of the global economy to this day.
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The Suez Canal: 125 Years of the Incredible Engineering Feat
On April 25, 1859, construction began on the Suez Canal, a project that would positively impact the global economy. Discover its fascinating history.
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