Suez Canal blocked by giant container ship

Egypt’s Suez Canal has been blocked by a giant container ship, the Ever Given, that ran aground sideways due to strong winds. The ship was bound for the Netherlands from China.

Authorities are working to refloat the 400m long, 59m wide vessel and have reopened the canal’s older channel to divert marine traffic, but congestion has built up in both directions and the waterway could remain blocked for days.

If authorities are unable to dislodge the ship from the embankment, by removing large quantities of sand, they may have to start removing cargo.

The Ever Given can carry up to 20,000 20ft containers.

The Suez Canal, connecting Europe and Asia, is one of the world’s busiest trade routes, with 10% of all global trade passing through it.

On average, more than 50 ships passed through per day in 2020.

As such, the blockage could have a significant impact on global trade.

Source: BBC News