Oil Tankers and the Suez Canal: A Critical Energy Artery

Yes, oil tankers routinely transit the Suez Canal. It is one of the world's most vital chokepoints for seaborne petroleum trade.

The Route

• 193 km (120 mi) artificial sea-level canal across Egypt's Isthmus of Suez.
• Connects Mediterranean Sea (Port Said) ↔ Red Sea (Suez).
• Saves ~6,000 nm vs. Cape of Good Hope route (Europe–Asia).

Tanker Traffic

• Crude oil: ~1.5–2 million bpd (barrels per day) northbound (Middle East → Europe/US).
• Refined products: Diesel, jet fuel, naphtha southbound (Europe → Asia/Middle East).
• LNG/LPG carriers: Growing segment.
• Size limit: Suezmax (~160,000 DWT, 20m draft, 68m beam, 240m LOA). VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers, 300K+ DWT) cannot transit—must go around Africa or lighter (offload/partial transit).

Economics & Risk

• Toll: ~$300K–$500K per transit for Suezmax tanker.
• Time saved: 10–14 days → massive charter savings.
• Risk: Closure (e.g., Ever Given 2021, 1967–75 war closure) spikes freight rates, reroutes global supply.

The Suez Canal isn't just a shortcut—it's a pillar of global energy security. Tankers are its most consequential cargo.