Egypt has announced the successful trial operation of a newly constructed 10-kilometer extension at the southern end of the Suez Canal, a critical global shipping route. The trial involved two ships navigating the new segment without any issues, according to a statement released by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) on Saturday.
The new channel is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the canal’s capacity and resilience following the highly publicized 2021 incident in which the Ever Given container ship ran aground, blocking the canal for six days. The event underscored the importance of expanding and upgrading the waterway to mitigate similar disruptions in the future.
Despite these improvements, the canal’s revenue has seen a decline in recent months. This downturn is linked to attacks on vessels in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi forces, which began in November 2023. The Houthis claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinian militants in Gaza. The unrest has deterred ships from using the Red Sea, contributing to a sharp drop in Suez Canal traffic.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi recently addressed these challenges, revealing that Egypt’s revenue from the canal decreased by approximately $7 billion in 2024. This figure represents a drop of more than 60% compared to the previous year.
The latest expansion brings the total length of the canal’s two-way traffic section to 82 kilometers, up from 72 kilometers. In total, the Suez Canal spans 193 kilometers. The SCA emphasized that this development will enhance the canal’s capacity, allowing it to accommodate an additional 6 to 8 ships per day while improving its ability to handle emergencies.
The Egyptian government is also considering further expansion projects beyond the current 10-kilometer extension.
