Voyage Through Time: Suez Canal promotes trade between Asia and Europe

World
Europe

02:44

And outside China, one of the busiest shipping routes under the Belt and Road Initiative is the Suez Canal in Egypt. It sits strategically between Asia, Africa and Europe. As trade between China and Europe increases, Egypt is also benefiting. CGTN's Zhao Yunfei takes us along the waterway.

Dawn at the Suez Canal, ships line up to pass through. Running through northern Egypt and surrounded by desert, the canal holds the country's destiny.

MOHAMED GALAL BRANCH MANAGER, COSCO SHIPPING LINES EGYPT S.A.E. "It's the biggest hub for trading between Asia and Europe. There are several advantages here to use the Suez Canal. The ships can pass smoothly without any problems. It holds the biggest portion of trading between Asia and Europe to connect the both, Suez's east and west."

Nearly a hundred vessels travel the Suez Canal every day. Each ship is charged service fees, making the total income of about 5.3 billion US dollars in 2017, a prominent source of revenue for the country.

SHEN ZHONGYI CAPTAIN, COSCO SHIPPING VIRGO "Geographically, the canal is a shortcut that connects the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. If we don't go this path and take the route of the Cape of Good Hope, it will cost much more time and money. And that will delay our schedule."

ZHAO YUNFEI SUEZ CANAL "It takes about 12 hours to travel the Suez Canal. With the passage only 200 meters wide, and with most ships spanning 60 meters in width. Vessels are left with no option but to maneuver the canal at a slower pace. Captains also have to consider the terrain below the water to prevent any grounding or accident."

The canal is working on increasing the capacity of handling the ships and providing a better investment environment to cope with the growth of world trade.

MOHAMED GALAL BRANCH MANAGER, COSCO SHIPPING LINES EGYPT S.A.E. "The government now is giving some privileges to investors to have a new and industrial zone, an industrial location. Give more support and more exemptions for new factories in Egypt, especially for Chinese investors. It's mutual beneficial between the Chinese economy and Egyptian economy."

The success plays out in multiple ways. Serving as a pivot station and a contributor, Egypt also benefits from trade between Asia and Europe. Zhao Yunfei, CGTN, at the Suez Canal, Egypt.