It is completely devoid of lock gates, making it stand out among other major canals of the world, and saving both time and cost. “As such, Suez Canal is unbelievably busy, handling some 20,000 cargo ships annually – equivalent to 15% of the global trade. I have on two separate occasions stood on the pier of the Suez Canal, watching ships cruise past me in both ways. In New York, there’s the 584km Erie Canal which is not as controversial as some of the other major canals, but still quite popular. The thing is, these major canals have managed to not only shorten shipping times but also boost the cruise industry.

Source: The Star April 18, 2021 05:03 UTC