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The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) confirmed on Monday, March 29, that the container ship Ever Given began floating after being stranded for almost a week, blocking naval traffic.
Dredging and excavation work to dislodge the 400-meter-long, 59-meter-wide vessel was carried out over the weekend and will continue for the next several hours, taking advantage of the high tide at the site. The SCA rescue team, supported by Dutchman Smit Salvage, used tugs this morning.
“Today we begin our plan for all ships to pass the Canal,” said Mohab Mamish, Egypt’s president’s adviser for the Suez Canal, admitting that it may be a week before all currently detained ships can cross the Canal.
Greetings and thanks to the Egyptian administration and the Suez Canal Authority for this work. pic.twitter.com/dfS8AdDbmn
– ????????? ??????????? Fathelbab (@IbrahemFthelbab) March 29, 2021
At 193 kilometers, the Suez Canal in Egypt is one of the intercontinental routes most used by large ships, being the point of passage for around 12% of world trade.
This prolonged shutdown puts even more pressure on shipowners already operating at full capacity, which can lead to delays and additional costs for European companies that depend on imports from Asia.
The cargo ship owned by the Japanese Shoei Kisen, operated by the Taiwanese Evergreen Marine and with the flag of Panama, was built in 2018 and has a capacity for 20,000 containers and a weight of 224,000 tons.
According to Reuters, at least 369 ships are waiting to transit the canal. SCA President Osama Rabie told Egyptian state television that “the ship’s captain is responsible for the ship at all times,” anticipating that “it is very possible that maritime activity will resume today.” “We will not lose a second,” promised the official.
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