What effect did the opening of the Suez Canal have on Cape Town's significance?

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 significantly changed global trade routes by providing a shorter, more efficient passage between Europe and Asia. Prior to the canal, ships traveling from Europe to Asia had to navigate around the southern tip of Africa, which included a longer and often perilous journey through the Cape of Good Hope.

With the canal in operation, many ships could bypass the lengthy route around Africa. As a result, Cape Town, which had served as a crucial pit stop for refueling and rest, saw a decline in its role as a maritime center. The direct passage through the Suez Canal meant that shipping traffic reduced around the area, thus diminishing Cape Town's economic significance in international shipping and trade. Consequently, the impact of the Suez Canal led to a decrease in the importance of Cape Town as a key refueling and supply station.