The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia. It officially opened on 17 November 1869 since then it has been blocked, for more than a day four times.

The first time occurred during the Sinai War. In July 1956, Egyptian President Nasser nationalized the Canal to pay for the construction of the Aswan Dam (he was denied the money by the US and UK). Faced with the attack by Israeli forces, aided by the British and French, Egypt, in retaliation, sank forty ships in the Canal. After the conflict, it reopened on March 29, 1957.

In June 1967, during the Six Day War, the Israeli army invaded the Sinai and began an occupation of the eastern bank of the canal, which is closed to shipping. In 1973 a new conflict broke out between the two nations. After the Egyptian-Israeli agreement in 1974, both banks once again pass into the hands of Egypt. After removing all mines, the Canal reopened on June 5, 1975.

in 2004, the oil tanker "Tropic Brilliance" was stuck for three days. The ship had to be refloated, a process that involves digging and removing sand from the sides and under the ship to increase the presence of water around the ship and set it in motion.

On March 23, 2021, the container ship "Ever Given" was stranded for six days, when it was buffeted by strong winds that caused it to veer, blocking all traffic until it could be released.

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