The first cargo ships passed through Egypt’s New Suez Canal on Saturday in a test-run before it opens next month, state media reported, 11 months after the army began constructing the $8 billion canal alongside the existing 145-year-old Suez Canal.
Dubbed the Suez Canal Axis, the new 72km project is aimed at speeding up traffic along the existing waterway by reducing the waiting period of vessels, as well as boosting revenues for Egypt.
It will run part of the way along the existing canal that connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
“The first trial run for ships passing through the new Suez Canal started today,” state news agency MENA reported.
Egypt to release new postal stamp to celebrate the occasion
A new postage stamp, depicting Egypt’s new Suez Canal, will be release next week, the Postal Authority announced Saturday.