W To Tile Around The Tub

Suez: Review of the main aspects of the channel status

The recent passage of two Iranian warships (the support ship and the frigate Alvand Kharg) by the Suez Canal has attracted some interest [1] .

This is the first Iranian ships crossing the Suez Canal since the 1979 revolution.

We know how the issue of transit through the Suez Canal and sensitive. Indeed, the Egyptian decision to forbid (and in the Straits of Tiran) the passage of ships under the flag of Israel is one of the triggers of the Six Day War in 1967. The situation has gradually released from the Camp David accords of 1978.

This gives an opportunity to recall very briefly that the channel sees its status determined by the Constantinople Convention of 29 October 1888 . It can be summarized schematically this status in three points:

1. freedom of commercial navigation is ensured both in wartime than in peacetime;
2. warships of all states have entitled to continuous passage. However, they can stop or interfere with navigation, they can not refuel them or supplying them to the limit of what is strictly necessary.
3. The Canal Zone is neutralized. It can not be blocked or attacked in time of war.

be recalled that each year about 20,000 vessels pass through this channel 190 km long, carrying nearly 100,000 tonnes of cargo, about 14% of world shipping.

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[1] . They arrived this February 25, 2011 in the Syrian port of Lattaqia.