Shippers Know the Suez Is Always a Crisis Waiting to Happen

Houthi attacks on civilian vessels, strategies to reroute ships, and the need for a 40-nation strong military alliance to guard 15% of the world’s maritime traffic sounds like the kind of emergency that ought to bring trade to its knees. Yet, the Suez Canal has been here before. What’s more, the stretch of water joining Europe to the Indian Ocean will face such crises again and again, forcing shippers to be ready at any moment.

From its commencement in November 1869, the artificial waterway through Egypt has been at the center of drama. French mail ship Péluse had the ignominious honor of being the first to block the Suez Canal on the opening night of operations due to pilot error. Unlike its younger, and shorter, counterpart in Panama, this maritime highway has suffered almost exclusively from man-made troubles.