The Panama Canal expanded while Suez saw much less enlargement. Continuing instability around the Egyptian waterway discouraged the sustained funding and international interest needed for major works. Later closure also removed a period in which money and demand might otherwise have aligned behind expansion. As commercial ships grew, the canal was increasingly outgrown by the traffic it was expected to serve.
Notable Point · 27:32-28:06
Why Suez Was Outgrown Without Panama-Style Expansion
Political instability and later closure narrowed the opportunity to expand Suez while ocean-going ships continued to grow.