In detail, describe how the characteristics caused or influenced the Suez Canal obstruction:
The Suez Canal obstruction, which occurred in March 2021, was primarily caused by a combination of various characteristics related to the canal's infrastructure, the global shipping industry, and the surrounding geographical conditions. These characteristics include:
1. Size and design of the vessel: The Ever Given, the container ship that caused the blockage, was one of the largest container vessels in the world, measuring approximately 400 meters in length and 224,000 metric tons in weight. Its massive size made it challenging to maneuver through the narrow canal.
2. High winds and bad weather: At the time of the incident, the region was experiencing strong winds and a sandstorm, which reduced visibility and made navigation more difficult. The high winds could have caused the ship to veer off course and ultimately run aground, partially obstructing the canal.
3. Narrowness of the canal: The Suez Canal is around 205 meters wide, which is wide enough to allow two vessels to pass, but not enough to accommodate a large ship like the Ever Given. The narrowness of the canal increases the risks of incidents and requires precise navigation.
4. Lack of maneuverability: The Ever Given lost control and became stuck diagonally across the canal due to strong winds and reduced visibility. This lack of maneuverability prevented other vessels from passing through, exacerbating the obstruction.
5. Heavy traffic and time pressure: The Suez Canal is a crucial trade route, with approximately 12% of global trade passing through it. The global shipping industry operates on tight schedules, and vessels often navigate through the canal in convoys, creating heavy traffic. These time constraints and the sheer volume of ships passing through increased the chances of incidents occurring and intensified the impact of the obstruction.
6. Limited salvage resources: The initial efforts to refloat the Ever Given were hampered by limited salvage resources in the region. The canal authority had to rely on tugs and diggers to excavate the sand around the ship and free it from the canal bank, which took several days.
7. Global economic consequences: The Suez Canal obstruction caused massive disruptions in global trade, impacting supply chains, manufacturing, and commodity prices. The characteristics of the incident magnified its impact, as the blockage occurred at a time when global shipping was already strained due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conclusion, the characteristics ranging from the size and design of the vessel to the narrowness of the canal, adverse weather conditions, heavy traffic, and limited salvage resources all contributed to and influenced the Suez Canal obstruction. This incident highlighted the vulnerability of global trade and the interconnectedness of various factors that can lead to major disruptions in the shipping industry.