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Suez Canal Shipping: Transit Times and Its Effect on Global Trade 

15-12-2025
suez-canal-shipping

The Suez Canal is one of the most critical arteries in the body of global commerce. For over 150 years, it has served as the shortcut that powers the world economy, linking the manufacturing hubs of the East with the consumer markets of the West in a way that defines modern logistics. However, recent years have proven that this vital waterway is not immune to disruption.
From the infamous grounding of the Ever Given to the complex geopolitical tensions of the 2023-2025 Red Sea crisis, the stability of this route directly correlates with the predictability of global supply chains. When Suez Canal shipping is disrupted, the entire world feels the impact through higher costs and longer delivery times.
This comprehensive guide will provide a deep dive into the canal’s history, its immense importance, and its operational mechanics. We will analyze the Suez Canal traffic news today 2025, break down the costs and delays caused by recent crises, and look ahead at what Suez Canal news today 2026 might hold for shippers worldwide. 

Ready to navigate the complexities of global shipping? At MyDello, we make logistics simple, transparent, and stress-free. Whether you are routing through the Suez or around the Cape of Good Hope, our digital platform finds you the best options instantly. 

The Suez Canal: A History of Ambition and Conflict 

The story of the Canal de Suez is a story of human ambition rewriting geography to serve commerce. While the modern canal officially opened in 1869, the dream of connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea is ancient, with early canals constructed by Egyptian pharaohs centuries ago. 

The modern canal was the culmination of a decade-long construction project orchestrated by French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps. Before its existence, ships traveling between Europe and Asia were forced to navigate the treacherous and incredibly lengthy route around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The canal’s opening was a revolution, instantly shrinking the world for maritime trade. 

However, its strategic importance has also made it a focal point of conflict and a barometer of global power shifts. 

  • The Convention of Constantinople (1888): This landmark treaty established the canal as a neutral zone, guaranteeing it would be “free and open, in time of war as in time of peace, to every vessel of commerce or of war, without distinction of flag.” This principle, managed by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), remains foundational to its operation today. 
  • The Suez Crisis (1956): When Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal, it triggered a military conflict involving Israel, France, and the UK. The canal was closed for months, marking a significant moment in post-colonial power dynamics and highlighting the waterway’s immense geopolitical value. 
  • The Six-Day War (1967): This conflict led to the canal being closed for eight years. A group of 15 cargo ships, known as the “Yellow Fleet” for the desert sand that coated them, were trapped in the Great Bitter Lake section of the canal until it finally reopened in 1975. 
  • The “New Suez Canal” Expansion (2015): To accommodate the ever-growing size of modern container ships, the SCA completed a major expansion project, deepening the main channel and creating a new 35km parallel channel. This allowed for two-way traffic in parts of the canal, increasing its daily capacity and reducing transit times. 

These incidents underscore a recurring theme: when Suez Canal shipping stops, the world takes notice. 

Why is the Suez Canal Important to International Shipping? 

You might ask, why is the Suez Canal important to international shipping? The answer lies in the simple, brutal mathematics of time, distance, and money. The canal offers the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe, eliminating the need to circumnavigate Africa. 

  • The Time and Distance Advantage: For a standard voyage from Singapore to Rotterdam, using the Suez Canal cuts the journey by approximately 6,000 kilometers (3,240 nautical miles) and saves 9 to 14 days of sailing time compared to the route around the Cape of Good Hope. 
  • The Cost and Fuel Advantage: Shorter distances mean dramatically lower fuel consumption, which is often the single largest operating cost for a container ship. With fuel costs running into tens of thousands of dollars per day, these savings are immense. 
  • A Linchpin for Global Trade Lanes: What shipping routes use the Suez Canal? Virtually every major lane connecting Asia (China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia) to Europe and the East Coast of the Americas relies on it. As a result, the canal’s importance is staggering. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Suez Canal handles approximately 12-15% of global trade and 30% of all global container traffic. 

Without this waterway, the global economy would face permanently higher shipping costs, slower deliveries, increased inventory carrying costs for businesses, and greater environmental impact from longer voyages. This is why the Suez Canal is so important to international shipping. 

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A container ship transiting the Suez Canal

How Much Shipping Goes Through the Suez Canal? 

To understand the scale of operations, we must look at how much shipping goes through the Suez Canal. 

In 2023, before the peak of the Red Sea crisis, the canal saw record-breaking traffic, with over 26,000 vessels transiting, and generated revenues of over $10 billion for Egypt. This answers the question of how many ships pass through the Suez Canal daily: in normal conditions, it is between 50 and 60 vessels. 

However, Suez Canal traffic news paints a very different picture due to the geopolitical instability in the Red Sea. 

  • The 2024 Plunge: Following attacks on commercial vessels, major shipping lines began diverting their fleets. By early 2024, UNCTAD reported that container ship transits through the canal had plummeted by a staggering 67%. This led to a dramatic fall in revenue for the SCA. 
  • A Fragile Recovery in 2025: Throughout 2025, the situation has remained fluid. While some smaller carriers and specific vessel types have continued to use the route, most major container lines have maintained their diversion policies. Suez Canal shipping news indicates that while traffic is no longer at its lowest point, it remains well below half of its pre-crisis levels. This “new normal” of reduced traffic continues to impact global shipping schedules. 

How Long Does It Take to Transit the Suez Canal? 

For logistics managers, the practical question is always: how long does it take to transit the Suez Canal? 

Under normal operations, the passage through the 193-kilometer (120-mile) canal takes between 11 and 16 hours. However, the process is highly structured. 

  • The Convoy System: Ships do not simply enter the canal at will. They must arrive at designated anchorages in Port Said (northbound) or Suez (southbound) to join one of the daily convoys. This system is essential for managing traffic safely in the narrow channel. 
  • Speed Limits and Pilots: To prevent bank erosion and ensure safety, vessel speed is strictly regulated to around 8 knots (15 km/h). It is mandatory to have licensed Suez Canal Authority pilots on board to guide the vessel throughout the transit. 

Suez Canal Transit Fees 

The cost of this convenience is substantial. Suez Canal transit fees are a major operational expense, often running into hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single large container ship. The fees are calculated based on a complex formula using the “Suez Canal Net Ton” (SCNT) and the type of vessel. In response to the traffic decline, the SCA has offered significant discounts (up to 75% in some cases) throughout 2024 and 2025 to entice carriers to return, a key topic in Suez Canal transit news today. 

Suez Canal and the Ever Given: The 2021 Suez Canal Blockage 

No discussion of Suez Canal shipping is complete without mentioning the event that captivated the world. In March 2021, the Suez Canal blockage caused by the container ship Ever Given became a global phenomenon. 

The 400-meter-long “megaship” lost steering amidst high winds, wedging itself diagonally across the canal and completely obstructing the waterway. The Suez Canal ship stuck for six agonizing days. The knock-on effects were catastrophic: 

  • The Traffic Jam: Over 400 ships were left waiting at either end, carrying everything from crude oil and livestock to consumer goods. 
  • The Economic Cost: According to research from Lloyd’s List, the blockage held up an estimated $9.6 billion worth of trade per day. 
  • The Supply Chain Chaos: The incident created a “bullwhip effect.” Weeks later, European ports like Rotterdam and Antwerp were overwhelmed as hundreds of delayed ships arrived simultaneously, causing massive port congestion that took months to clear. The Ever Given incident became a textbook case study on the fragility of just-in-time supply chains. 
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A view of the Suez Canal

The 2023 – 2025 Suez Canal/Red Sea Crisis 

Fast forward to late 2023. The Suez Canal crisis of this period was not an accident but a geopolitical event. Attacks on commercial vessels in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait by Houthi militants forced the world’s largest shipping lines—including Maersk, MSC, and Hapag-Lloyd—to make a difficult choice: risk the Red Sea or divert around Africa. 

The Great Diversion 

The vast majority chose to divert. This decision, dominating Suez Canal shipping news today 2025, has had profound effects: 

  • Increased Time and Distance: The diversion around the Cape of Good Hope adds 10 to 14 days and approximately 3,500 nautical miles to a typical Asia-Europe voyage. 
  • Soaring Costs: The longer route burns significantly more fuel and requires more vessels to maintain a weekly service, effectively shrinking global shipping capacity. As a result, spot freight rates on the Asia-Europe lane more than tripled in early 2024. 
  • The “New Normal”: As of late 2025, while the security situation is a constant focus, most major carriers continue to favor the longer route for the majority of their services, treating the diversion as a semi-permanent operational strategy. This has forced shippers to permanently adjust their lead times and inventory planning. 

For shippers planning for 2026, the key lesson from the Suez Canal crisis is that supply chain resilience requires flexibility and real-time visibility. 

Don’t let global disruptions slow your business down. MyDello’s digital platform provides real-time visibility and alternative routing options. Whether it’s the latest Suez Canal news or a new challenge, we help you adapt instantly.

Conclusion 

The Suez Canal is more than just a waterway; it is a critical chokepoint and a powerful barometer for the global economy. From its storied history to its role in modern trade efficiency, Suez Canal shipping remains a vital topic for any business moving goods across borders. 

As we move towards 2026, the key takeaways are clear: 

  • Indispensable Importance: The canal saves irreplaceable time and fuel, making it a cornerstone of cost-effective global trade. 
  • Proven Vulnerability: Whether it’s a Suez Canal blocked by a ship or a geopolitical crisis, the route is susceptible to major disruptions that have a global impact. 
  • Adaptability is Key: The logistics industry is resilient. The response to the recent crisis—though costly—shows that supply chains can adapt through diversions and new strategies. 

Staying informed on Suez Canal shipping news allows you to make smarter, more proactive decisions. With a digital partner like MyDello, you gain the visibility and flexibility needed to navigate these uncertain waters with confidence, ensuring your cargo arrives on time, every time.