Halfway through the channel we will arrive to the Great Bitter Lake and the New Suez canal expansion, where the northbound and southbound convoy's meet.
The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez.
It was constructed by the Suez Canal Company between 1859 and 1869. After 10 years of construction by 20,000 slaves, it was officially opened on November 17, 1869.
Its length is 193.30 km (120.11 mi), including its northern and southern access channels. In average 49 vessels were passing the canal every day.
The canal is a single-lane waterway with passing locations in the Ballah Bypass and the Great Bitter Lake. It contains no locks system.
The canal is owned and maintained by the Suez Canal Authority of Egypt.
In August 2014, construction called the Suez Canal Axis, was launched to expand and widen the Ballah Bypass north of Ismailia for 35 km (22 mi) to speed the canal's transit time.
The 72-kilometer new project involves a 37-kilometer (23 mi) new waterway and deepening and expansion of the existing 145-year-old Suez Canal along a 35-kilometer (22 mi) stretch.
The expansion was planned to double the capacity of the Suez Canal from 49 to 97 ships a day.
The "New Suez Canal", as the expansion was dubbed, was opened on 6 August 2015.