The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced that the enormous container ship, which has been blocking the Suez Canal for nearly a week, was refloated. Live footage of the ship, being one of the world’s largest container ships, floating at a low speed was given on a local television station.
Last Tuesday, the traffic on the canal, drawing a convenient route between Europe and Asia, was entirely blocked due to the 130-yard long ship, being stuck in width. Rescue attempts have been conducted since then with the use of tug boats and authorities expressed that the ship has straightened and moved, though not fully yet.
More than 369 boats and ships as well as tankers and bulk carriers were unable to pass the canal for days. It was announced earlier that the awaiting vessels would be able to enter the channel immediately after it was freed from the huge container ship. It is estimated that almost 100 ships will be able to pass daily and that it will take a few days to clear the backlog.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also commented on the incident and highlighted that the crisis was solved and trade can keep flowing through the canal.
