The need to improve and regulate navigation in the Gulf of Suez became urgent when the Suez Canal was reopened in June 1975, and urgency increased with the number and size of ships passing through the Canal. In 1975 the Suez Canal Authority embarked on a three-phase development operation over a period of six years; the first phase, completed in 1976, allowed the passage of vessels having draughts of up to 38 ft, while the final phase, initially due for completion in 1981 but later extended to 1983, will allow the transit of vessels having draughts of up to 68 ft.