£3.7bn 3,500

Value of goods carried on a typical day through Suez Canal from East to West

Miles for the alternative route around Africa, which would take 12 days’ travel

19,000

Approximate number of ships that passed through the canal last year

What is held up?

20 boats are carrying livestock, others have goods ranging from furniture to clothing, manufacturing components, car parts and construction materials such as screws and fixings, tools and plumbing items.