Suez Canal – Significance, Challenges and Way Ahead
On 23rd March this year, a large container vessel ran aground and blocked Suez Canal, leading to the maritime shipping traffic coming to a halt at one of the world’s busiest waterways. It had remained struck for 6 days, with more than 400 ships being stranded in the waterway. While the vessel was dislodged using tugboats and dredgers, it caused significant adverse implications to the already suffering global economy amid the pandemic. This rare incident highlights the importance of strategic chokepoints in economic growth.