The Suez Canal opened in 1869 and became a major route for Middle Eastern oil to Europe.
The canal crosses Egypt and connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, allowing ships to travel between Europe and Asia without sailing around Africa. This shortened the route from Persian Gulf ports to European markets substantially.
Its importance to oil transportation grew as production expanded in the Middle East and tankers became larger. Although pipelines and alternative routes also carry petroleum, the canal and its approaches remain strategically significant for global energy trade.
The Suez Canal is a sea-level waterway without the lock system used by the Panama Canal. It has been enlarged and deepened several times to accommodate bigger vessels, though some very large tankers may use the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope.