How many ships does it take to block the Suez Canal? The answer depends on the year and the size of the ship. The Ever Given recently captured the world's attention when it hit the bank of the Canal in March 2021 and completely blocked the width of the waterway for a week. However, in 1956, it took 51 ships and boats for the Egyptians to make the Suez Canal impassable. In this episode, we explore the history of the Suez Canal and the context of its closures as well as the anticipated impacts of Ever Given on global shipping and the international economy.