In passage from The Red Sea to The Mediterranean
Facts about the Suez Canal:
- There are no locks; it is at sea level for its entire extent
- It took 10 years to build, and opened for operation in 1869
- Its current capacity 47 ships per day, who make the passage in one way convoys, north or south
- The Egyptian government is building an extension that will double its capacity when complete in 2016
- The waters in the norther half flow north in the winter, south in the summer; waters in the southern half flow with the Red Sea tides
- It is 120 miles long, 670 feet wide, and 80 feet deep
- Speed is limited to 8 knots, to prevent damage to the banks
- The cost of passage for a ship the size of the Seabourn Sojourn is $250,000
- A passage through it is an absolutely great way to spend your 60th birthday
Suez Canal Images