Suez: like in the good old days?

The huge container ship blocking the Suez Canal reminds me of my cruise around the Cape of Good Hope when a Suez crossing wasn’t an option back in 1971.

Today, that Canal still handles 12% of sea trade, and each day of blockage disrupts more than $9 billion worth of goods, according to Lloyd’s List. 

If the problem drags on, shippers will have to consider making a U-turn and heading for the southern tip of Africa, and then Europe, or staying stuck in the Red Sea and Mediterranean. 

This would significantly increases the trip duration and costs. Sailing from the Suez Canal to Amsterdam takes just over 13 days when traveling at 12 knots, compared with 41 days if traveling around the Cape of Good Hope. 

I thought it was fun then, but I was so poor that time and even money weren’t a consideration…