GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Sep 10, 2026
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal links the Mediterranean at Port Said with the Red Sea at Suez, making it the shortest sea route between Europe and the ports of the Indian Ocean and Asia.
Quick Answer
Last updated:
Source: https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/English/About/SuezCanal/Pages/CanalCharacteristics.aspx
Category
Check transit time: city-to-city index
Reading time
1 min
Words
168
Mentioned in
19 articles
Definition & Explanation
The Suez Canal links the Mediterranean at Port Said with the Red Sea at Suez, making it the shortest sea route between Europe and the ports of the Indian Ocean and Asia. The canal in Egypt is around 193 kilometres long, opened in 1869, has no locks and is operated by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), which charges a fee for every transit. For container shipping between Asia and Europe it is one of the most important chokepoints: when carriers avoid the route – for example because of attacks on ships in the Red Sea – they divert via the Cape of Good Hope, which, depending on the service, means a week or more of additional transit time, higher fuel costs and tied-up vessel capacity. Freight forwarders and shippers should therefore check with every booking whether the service transits the Suez Canal or sails around the Cape. Not to be confused with the Gulf of Suez, the northern arm of the Red Sea into which the canal opens.
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
Mentioned in
Mentioned in Countries
Airports
Abu Suwayr Air Base
/en/information/airports/abu-suwayr-air-base-airport-141
Bardawil International Airport
/en/information/airports/bardawil-international-airport-rdl
Bilbeis 2 Airfield
/en/information/airports/bilbeis-2-airport-3576
Cairo International Airport
/en/information/airports/cairo-international-airport-cai
Port Said International Airport
/en/information/airports/port-said-international-airport-psd
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
/en/information/airports/sharm-el-sheikh-international-airport-ssh
Seaports
Ain Sukhna Terminal
/en/information/seaports/ain-sukhna-terminal-port-1253
Al Arish
/en/information/seaports/al-arish-port-egaac
As Suways
/en/information/seaports/as-suways-port-eg-suz
Ashqelon
/en/information/seaports/ashqelon-port-il-akl
Bur Sa'id
/en/information/seaports/bur-said-port-eg-psd
Duba
/en/information/seaports/duba-port-sa-dhu
El Ismailiya
/en/information/seaports/el-ismailiya-port-eg-ism
Jiddah
/en/information/seaports/jiddah-port-sa-jed
King Fahd Port
/en/information/seaports/king-fahd-port-1440
North Ain Sukhna Port
/en/information/seaports/north-ain-sukhna-port-eg-ais
Sokhna Port Gas Tanker Terminal
/en/information/seaports/sokhna-port-gas-tanker-terminal-port-eg-sok
Wadi Feiran
/en/information/seaports/wadi-feiran-port-eg-waf
Transit index
Check transit time: city-to-city index
P50/P80 transit times for sea, air and road — sourced and confidence-rated, not a carrier quote.
Connect
Find a matching partner on this lane
Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.
Situation
Situation hub: Red Sea, Suez and Hormuz
Current situation, transit impact and next steps — sourced, no unsourced claims.
Related News
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.