Although the canal saves the 700-kilometre (430 mi) journey around the Peloponnese, it is too narrow for modern ocean freighters, as it can accommodate ships only of a width up to 17.6 metres (58 ft) and draft up to 7.3 metres (24 ft). In October 2019, with over 900 passengers on board, a 22.5 metres (74 ft) wide and 195 metres (640 ft) long Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines cruise ship successfully traversed the canal to set a new record for longest ship to pass through the canal. Ships can pass through the canal only one convoy at a time on a one-way system. Larger ships have to be towed by tugs.[37] The canal is currently used mainly by tourist ships; around 11,000 ships per year travel through the waterway.[38]

[–] key@lemmy.keychat.org 21 points 4 months ago (5 children)

It can only accommodate 58ft wide ships but it can accomodate a 74 ft wide ship?

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 36 points 4 months ago

Safety issue/margin, I would presume, whereas the cruise ship was trying to set a record and thus probably got whoever was in charge to waive the normal standards.

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I assume it didnt go through there by itself as you can guess by the ropes tied to the tow ship that is probably pulling it.

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Larger ships have to be towed by tugs.

Yes that was addressed in the comment.

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Bruh i actually did skim over it a second time because i expected it to be there, but i still missed it somehow. Thanks for the correction :) But yeah point being the big ass ships cant maneuver precisely enough to be allowed to steer themselves in a canal this narrow.

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Sorry yeah, that was definitely rude, having a bad morning, figured like you replied to a response to them and just didn’t read the comment… so common these days unfortunately.

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 4 months ago

All good, enjoy your day ^^

[–] thepreciousboar@lemm.ee 8 points 4 months ago

17.6m was probably the maximum allowed width, but it was possible to pass through with bigger ships, but my guess is that insurance companies would not like it very much

[–] wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago

Just gotta push it, push it real good

[–] qjkxbmwvz@startrek.website 1 points 4 months ago

I wonder if this is width at waterline vs. overall width confusion?

[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 15 points 4 months ago (2 children)

You missed the craziest part, it started being dug in the time of ancient Greece and in fact there's a commemoration carving of Hercules on one of the entrances.

https://corinthianmatters.org/2016/04/11/on-the-remains-of-neros-corinth-canal-project/

[–] Jimbo@yiffit.net 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

-To be that guy, probably more accurate to call him Heracles when talking about Greek things

[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

True enough.

[–] UnrefinedChihuahua@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 4 months ago

Great read, thank you!