Egypt has tested a new 10-kilometre extension to the Suez Canal, designed to enhance navigational safety and increase the waterway’s capacity to handle more ships. The trial run on Saturday saw two ships pass through the newly extended section of the two-way channel without incident, as confirmed by the Suez Canal Authority.
The extension, located in the canal’s southern region, aims to reduce the impact of strong currents, winds, and sandstorms, which have occasionally caused vessels to run aground. The development will help prevent such incidents and improve the flow of international trade through this vital maritime route.
Osama Rabie, Chief of the Suez Canal Authority, stated that the extension would improve the canal’s safety and efficiency, with the waterway set to open only after new navigational maps are issued.
The extension increases the two-way section of the canal from 72 km to 82 km, allowing for an additional six to eight ships to pass through daily. This move follows Egypt's accelerated expansion plans after the Ever Given incident in 2021, which caused a significant disruption in global trade.
With the canal serving as a crucial source of revenue, the new expansion is expected to help restore some of the revenue lost due to regional challenges, which led to a 60% drop in Suez Canal revenue in 2024.
The Suez Canal continues to play a pivotal role in Egypt’s economy, despite facing challenges from the country’s ongoing economic crisis.
