Timeline
- Circa 1799 — Napoleon Bonaparte conquers Egypt and orders a feasibility analysis. This reports a supposed 10-metre (33 ft) difference in sea levels and a high cost, so the project is put on hold.
- Circa 1840 — A second survey finds the first analysis incorrect. A direct link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea is possible and not as expensive as previously estimated.
- 30 November 1854 — The former French consul in Cairo, Ferdinand Marie de Lesseps, obtains the first license for construction and subsequent operation from the Viceroy for a period of 99 years.
- 6 January 1856 — Lesseps is provided with a second, more detailed license.
- 15 December 1858 — Lesseps establishes the "Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez", with Said Pasha acquiring 22% of the Suez Canal Company; the majority is still controlled by French private holders.
- 25 April 1859 — The Suez Canal construction officially starts.
- 17 November 1869 — The Suez Canal is opened, being owned and operated by Suez Canal Company.
- 18 December 1873 — The International Commission of Constantinople establishes the Suez Canal Net Ton and the Suez Canal Special Tonnage Certificate (as known today)
- 25 November 1875 — Britain becomes a minority share holder in the Suez Company, acquiring 44% of the Suez Canal Company, with the remainder being controlled by French business syndicates.
- 20 May 1882 — Britain invades Egypt, with French assistance, and begins its occupation of Egypt.
- 25 August 1882 — Britain takes control of the canal.
- 2 March 1888 — The Convention of Constantinople renews the guaranteed right of passage of all ships through the Suez Canal during war and peace; these rights were already part of the licenses awarded to Lesseps, but are recognized as international law.
- 14 November 1936 — Following a new treaty, Britain theoretically pulls out of Egypt, but establishes the 'Suez Canal Zone', under its control.
- 13 June 1956 — Suez Canal Zone is restored to Egyptian sovereignty, following final British withdrawal and years of negotiations.
- 26 July 1956 — Egypt nationalizes the Suez Canal Company; all its Egyptian assets, rights and obligations are transferred to the Suez Canal Authority, which compensates the previous owners at the established pre-nationalization price.
- 31 October 1956 to 24 April 1957 — Suez Canal is blocked to shipping following the planned invasion of the eastern Sinai by Israel, and later French and British, occupation of the Suez Canal Zone.
- 22 December 1956 — The canal zone is restored to Egyptian control, following French and British withdrawal, and the landing of UNEF troops.
- 5 June 1967 to 10 June 1975 — Suez Canal is blocked by Egypt, following a war with Israel; it becomes the front line during the ensuing War of Attrition and the 1973 war, remaining closed to international shipping, until general agreement was near.
- 1 January 2008 — New rules of navigation passed on by the Suez Canal Authority come into force.
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