How One Ship Can Impact World Trade? Mind-Blowing!! In My Childhood, I got Full Marks in My Social Essay about Suez Canal! After 34 Years, Today I Realized How Important It Is? Read this Interesting Perspective!!

Dear Friends and Students

I still remember I was simply bihearting the geography of the Suez Canal in my school. We read it as an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea (Europe side) to the Red Sea (Asia side), dividing Africa and Asia. It was 193.3 Km, Maximum boat beam (254 ft 3 in). Just to put you in perspective, if I have to take the sea route from London to Mumbai, if there is no Suez Canal, I need to go around Africa (passing around the Cape of Good Hope) to reach Mumbai (19,800Km). Thanks to Suez Canal in Egypt, it shortened the distance to 11,600Km!

Today, the Canal is a vital link in world trade, and contributes significantly to the Egyptian economy; In 2009 the income generated from the canal accounted for 3.7% of Egypt's GDP. $5.61 billion in revenues from it in last year. Now you can imagine how important it is!

Now you must be wondering why I am talking about Suez Canal! You might have heard this news!” Oil prices have surged more than five percent overnight after a container ship ran aground in the Suez Canal – one of the world's busiest shipping routes.” The container ship named “Ever Given” is blocking the narrow strait. As per the University of Plymouth research, almost 90 % of the world's trade is transported by sea. This canal accounts for almost 13 percent of world trade. It allowed 19,000 ships in 2019, which is nearly 1.25 billion tonnes of cargo!! According to a Reuters report, “any such delay could also lead to a shortage of container vessels and boxes, as 30% of all container ships in the world pass through Suez. As per SCA data, in 2020, nearly 19,000 ships, or an average of 51.5 ships per day, with a net tonnage of 1.17 billion tonnes passed through the canal” ( indianexpress.com). According to Bloomberg, 6 lakh barrels of crude oil flow from the Middle East to Europe and the United States via the Suez Canal every single day. A big trade!!

If a ship is blocked, to reroute, it adds another 15 days’ voyage!! It happened due to a gale-force sandstorm, which blotted out light and limited the captain's ability to see!!

Dear Students

Suez Canal Solution & Ship Stranding in the Canal are reflecting new thoughts! For a big problem in our lives, a small solution can solve (a small canal saved 8000+ Km voyage and 15 days’ journey). A small problem in life can shake the entire life!! (one stranded ship shook the entire world trade!) Do you see this philosophy from this episode?

Can you reflect on any Suez Canal Episodes in your life? Did you ever make Suez Canal in your life? Did you experience a stranded ship in your canal? I am sure everyone will have some or other experiences. Personally, I experienced many! Recollecting those experiences gives us contentment and stabilization in our lives!

Can you think of a few experiences?

Your Well-wisher

Ravi Saripalle

Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com)

Source Inspiration: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/ship-stuck-in-the-suez-canal-how-the-ever-given-could-cripple-world-trade/E5QPMDLWLHGHPZNWDQKIHJI5FY/