Challenges ahead for Suez Canal ---------------------------------- The Suez Canal opened in 1869 as a vital shipping shortcut, but 150 years later vessels have other options available for traversing the seas ---------------------------------- BRIEF TIMELINE ---------------------------------- Nov 17, 1869: Suez Canal opens under French control after 10 years of construction 1882: Britain invades Egypt, with French support, and takes control of canal 1888: Canal declared neutral zone under UK protection Jun 13, 1956: Suez Canal restored to Egyptian sovereignty, following British withdrawal Jul-Dec: Egypt’s President Nasser Ismailia nationalises canal and closes it to Israeli shipping, sparking Suez Crisis – UK, France and Israel occupy canal zone Dec 22: Canal zone restored to Egyptian control after UN intervention 1967-1975: Egypt closes canal to international shipping following war with Israel 2008: New rules allow for passage of taller and deeper-keeled ships, including those carrying dangerous cargoes such as radioactive waste ---------------------------------- Port Said 10km 6 miles Mediterranean Sea Suez Canal 2015: Suez Canal expansion allows two-way traffic along route Great Bitter Lake No locks to navigate, unlike Panama Canal Port Tawfiq Gulf of Suez ---------------------------------- Via Suez Canal: 20,700km Rotterdam NETH. 13,600km Suez Canal RUSSIA Yokohama JAPAN ---------------------------------- Sinai Peninsula SYRIA Cairo EGYPT ISRAEL 300km 180 miles --------------------------------- ALTERNATIVE ROUTES Expansion keeping business brisk but authorities offering incentives to retain custom in face of competition from other routes ---------------------------------- Northern Sea Route: Navigable for 2-4 months each year, using icebreakers ---------------------------------- Atlantic Ocean Panama City PANAMA Pacific Ocean 100km 60 miles ---------------------------------- Panama Canal: Third set of locks added in 2016 – doubling capacity ---------------------------------- Sources: MTS Logistics, Washington Post, World Maritime News © GRAPHIC NEWS 259 words