Yes, the Suez Canal was and still is a big deal. Opened in 1869, it’s a 120-mile artificial waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, slashing travel time between Europe and Asia by avoiding the lengthy route around Africa’s southern tip.
It handles about 12% of global trade, with over 1 billion tons of cargo passing through annually in recent years.
Its strategic importance made it a focal point in conflicts like the 1956 Suez Crisis, and blockages, like the 2021 Ever Given incident, disrupt global supply chains, costing billions.
Geopolitically, Suez is a chokepoint, influencing trade, energy flows, and military strategy. Egypt’s economy heavily relies on canal revenues, around $9 billion annually. So, yeah, it’s kind of a linchpin.
Ever Given?
The Ever Given is a massive container ship, one of the largest in the world, operated by the Taiwanese company Evergreen Marine. In March 2021, it became infamous for getting stuck sideways in the Suez Canal for six days, blocking the critical trade route. The 400-meter-long ship, carrying about 18,300 containers, was caught by high winds and a sandstorm, wedging itself diagonally across the canal. This halted roughly $9-10 billion in daily trade, stranding over 400 ships and spiking global shipping costs. The blockage exposed the fragility of global supply chains, delaying goods like electronics, oil, and consumer products. Egyptian authorities and salvage teams eventually freed it using tugboats, dredgers, and high tides, but the incident led to weeks of logistical chaos. Compensation disputes between Egypt and the ship’s owners dragged on, with Egypt initially demanding $916 million for losses. The Ever Given’s mishap remains a textbook case of how one ship can mess up the world’s economy.
Why didn't I hear more about this? Covid?
The Ever Given incident, which blocked the Suez Canal for six days in March 2021, did get significant media coverage at the time, but it’s plausible you didn’t hear as much about it due to the overwhelming dominance of COVID-19 in the news cycle.
Why didn't I hear more about this? Covid?
The Ever Given incident, which blocked the Suez Canal for six days in March 2021, did get significant media coverage at the time, but it’s plausible you didn’t hear as much about it due to the overwhelming dominance of COVID-19 in the news cycle.
Here’s why: COVID-19 Overshadowed Everything: In early 2021, the world was deep in the pandemic’s grip. News was saturated with stories about vaccine rollouts, new variants (like Delta), lockdowns, and rising death tolls. The global focus was on health crises, economic fallout, and social restrictions, which likely drowned out other stories. The Ever Given incident, while disruptive, was a temporary event that didn’t directly affect most people’s daily lives the way COVID did.
Scale of Impact vs. Public Attention: The Suez blockage caused massive economic ripples—delaying $9-10 billion in daily trade and spiking shipping costs—but its effects were mostly felt in industries like logistics, retail, and manufacturing. For the average person, the impact (like delayed goods or price hikes) wasn’t immediately obvious, unlike COVID’s direct hit on health, jobs, and social life. News outlets prioritize stories with immediate, relatable consequences, so the canal story faded faster.
Short Duration: The blockage lasted only six days (March 23-29, 2021). Once the ship was freed, the story’s urgency dropped, and coverage shifted to the resolution and memes (like the tiny excavator next to the giant ship). COVID, by contrast, was a multi-year crisis with endless developments, keeping it front and center.
Media Fatigue and Focus: By 2021, people were experiencing news fatigue from the relentless COVID coverage. A complex story about global trade logistics might not have grabbed attention compared to more emotionally charged pandemic updates. Plus, the Suez story lacked a human toll or ongoing drama to sustain long-term coverage.
Geographic Disconnect: If you’re not in a region heavily reliant on Suez Canal trade (like Europe, Asia, or the Middle East), the story might’ve felt distant. In contrast, COVID was universal, affecting everyone directly.
Scale of Impact vs. Public Attention: The Suez blockage caused massive economic ripples—delaying $9-10 billion in daily trade and spiking shipping costs—but its effects were mostly felt in industries like logistics, retail, and manufacturing. For the average person, the impact (like delayed goods or price hikes) wasn’t immediately obvious, unlike COVID’s direct hit on health, jobs, and social life. News outlets prioritize stories with immediate, relatable consequences, so the canal story faded faster.
Short Duration: The blockage lasted only six days (March 23-29, 2021). Once the ship was freed, the story’s urgency dropped, and coverage shifted to the resolution and memes (like the tiny excavator next to the giant ship). COVID, by contrast, was a multi-year crisis with endless developments, keeping it front and center.
Media Fatigue and Focus: By 2021, people were experiencing news fatigue from the relentless COVID coverage. A complex story about global trade logistics might not have grabbed attention compared to more emotionally charged pandemic updates. Plus, the Suez story lacked a human toll or ongoing drama to sustain long-term coverage.
Geographic Disconnect: If you’re not in a region heavily reliant on Suez Canal trade (like Europe, Asia, or the Middle East), the story might’ve felt distant. In contrast, COVID was universal, affecting everyone directly.
The Ever Given saga did spark some viral moments on platforms like X, with memes and jokes about the stuck ship, but these were fleeting compared to the pandemic’s grip on public discourse. If you were tuned into COVID-related news or avoiding news overload, it’s easy to see how the Suez story slipped under your radar.
Hey Grok? Does Israel play a role in the security of the Suez Canal?
Israel plays a significant role in the security dynamics of the Suez Canal, primarily due to its strategic location and military capabilities, though it does not directly control or secure the canal itself. The Suez Canal, located in Egypt, is a critical global trade route, and its security is primarily managed by Egypt. However, Israel’s proximity and geopolitical influence in the region contribute to the broader security environment.
### Key Points:
1. **Geopolitical Influence**: Israel’s location near the Suez Canal, particularly its control over the Sinai Peninsula until 1979 (returned to Egypt via the Camp David Accords), and its current borders near the canal, make it a significant regional player. Its military presence and intelligence capabilities help deter threats that could destabilize the region, indirectly supporting canal security.
2. **Regional Stability**: Israel’s conflicts and alliances impact the Middle East’s stability, which affects the Suez Canal. For instance, tensions with groups like Hezbollah or Iran-backed militias could lead to regional disruptions, potentially threatening maritime routes. Israel’s military actions against such groups help maintain a balance of power that indirectly secures critical infrastructure like the canal.
3. **Naval and Intelligence Operations**: Israel’s navy operates in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, near the canal’s northern and southern entrances. Its intelligence-sharing with Egypt and other allies, including the U.S., enhances monitoring of threats like terrorism or piracy that could target the canal.
4. **Egypt-Israel Cooperation**: Since the 1979 peace treaty, Israel and Egypt have maintained a cooperative relationship, including security coordination in the Sinai Peninsula, where threats like ISIS-affiliated groups have emerged. This collaboration helps Egypt focus on securing the canal by addressing shared threats.
5. **Historical Context**: During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel’s occupation of the Sinai Peninsula led to the canal’s closure until 1975. While Israel no longer controls the area, its historical involvement underscores its strategic interest in the canal’s stability.
### Limitations: - **Egypt’s Primary Role**: Egypt is solely responsible for the canal’s direct security, with its armed forces and Suez Canal Authority managing operations and protection. - **Indirect Influence**: Israel’s role is secondary, focusing on broader regional security rather than direct canal operations.
Article originally published Aug 24, 2025
