See Egypt's new Suez Canal on its inauguration

The opening of the expanded Suez Canal took place today in the joy of both the people and the Egyptian government, who are expecting the new waterway to bring significant economic benefits to the country.

Egypt opened the Suez Canal to expand

Officially opened since 1869, the old Suez Canal is 163 km long, connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea , connecting Europe, Asia and the Africa-Middle East region. The new canal has a total length of 72 km, running parallel to the old canal.

Starting in August 2014 with an investment of US $ 9 billion, this new channel project includes new excavation and dredging of the old canal, which will allow two-way ships to move, and at the same time help double the capacity. Water transport. According to calculations, the new canal will shorten the travel time of ships from 11 hours to 3 hours, thereby quadrupling container traffic.Egypt expects to increase revenue from this route from US $ 5.3 billion in 2015 to US $ 13.2 billion in 2023.

Started on August 6, 2014, the new Suez Canal is expected to be completed in three years according to initial estimates, but this time has been reduced to 12 months. The official inauguration of this new canal officially took place yesterday, August 6.

Every year, about 10% of the world's traded goods pass through the Suez Canal, the route connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, helping ships not travel around Africa .

The "Welcome to Egypt" sign in front of the Suez Canal entrance

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is about to lower the official order to inaugurate the expanded Suez Canal

The Egyptians took to the streets to celebrate the inauguration of the expanded canal in Cairo

Many people even celebrate the night of August 5 because August 6 is a holiday for all Egyptians

Helicopters fly patrol in the newly opened area of ​​the Suez Canal

Military vehicles patrolled around the city to ensure security in Cairo

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi (left) spoke to an official during a visit to the Suez Canal last month

This is considered one of the leading foreign currency revenue sources of Egypt and a symbol of a modern state. It has been continuously expanded over the years, from the initial length of more than 160 km and has a depth of nearly 9 meters. The latest expansion process helped the canal reach a length of 192 km and 26 meters deep, large enough for the world's largest ship to pass.

The Suez Canal created the superiority of traffic compared to the old Suez Canal dug in 1869 (documentary)