Although the Suez Canal has been closed since June 6, 1967, this waterway is frequently compared to the Panama Canal. The two canals differ significantly. The Suez is a sea-level canal in an arid region where blowing sand is an operational problem. Panama is a lock-type canal through a humid, mountainous rain forest.Suez was realized by private enterprise, while the Panama Canal was a United States accomplishment.lthough the Suez Canal has been closed since June 6, 1967, this waterway is frequently compared to the Panama Canal. The two canals differ significantly. The Suez is a sea-level canal in an arid region where blowing sand is an operational problem. Panama is a lock-type canal through a humid, mountainous rain forest.