Chokepoints › Suez Canal
Suez Canal shipping traffic
Egypt · Daily ship transits from IMF PortWatch, latest day Nov 8, 2026.
Traffic is close to its 90-day average (7-day average 44.4 ships a day vs 41.6).
Daily transits, last 30 days
Bright bars: tankers. Faded bars: all other ships.
Why the Suez Canal matters
The Suez Canal in Egypt connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and is the shortest sea link between Europe and Asia. Alongside it, the SUMED pipeline moves crude from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. Canal traffic depends on security at the southern end of the Red Sea, so it fell sharply when attacks near Bab el-Mandeb began and only recovers as shipping lines return. For markets, Suez transits feed into Asia-Europe container rates, the flow of Gulf and Russian oil to Europe, and Egypt's foreign-currency income, of which canal fees are a major source.
Markets to watch
- Container freight rates (Asia-Europe): The canal is the short route for Asia-Europe container services.
- Brent crude and European diesel: Oil and product tankers to Europe use the canal and SUMED.
- Egyptian pound and Egypt bonds: Canal fees are a key source of hard currency.
Related
Other chokepoints: Bab el-Mandeb, Cape of Good Hope, Strait of Gibraltar.
Country risk: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen.
FAQ
How many ships pass through the Suez Canal each day?
In the 7 days to Nov 8, 2026, an average of 44.4 ships a day passed through the Suez Canal, including 15.4 tankers, against 41.6 a day over the previous 90 days. Counts come from IMF PortWatch satellite AIS data.
Why did Suez Canal traffic fall?
Most ships reach the canal through the Red Sea. When attacks near Bab el-Mandeb made that route unsafe, many lines diverted around the Cape of Good Hope, bypassing Suez altogether.
What does Suez Canal traffic mean for Egypt?
Canal fees are one of Egypt's main sources of foreign currency, so lower transits weigh on its external finances and the pound.