Engineers partially freed a wedged ship blocking the Suez Canal and tug boats were working to straighten its course, an effort that could soon reopen the vital trade route and end days of global supply disruptions.
Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, which operates the waterway, said Monday that tugs dislodged the bow of the 1,300-foot Ever Given, operated by Taiwan-based Evergreen Group, from the eastern bank of the canal.
“We are not finished yet, but it has moved,” he said, adding that tugboats would continue for another hour or so to ensure the ship could resume moving up the canal.
Work will resume when the high tide rises to near its peak, at around 11.30 a.m. local time when authorities hope to move the ship to the center of the canal.
Mr. Rabie later said that once the Ever Given is fully floated and inspected it will be moved north to be anchored at a lake along the route of the canal.
“Ship transits will likely resume today,” said another person involved in the operation. “We are looking at giving priority to livestock vessels because they are running out of supplies for the animals.”
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Source: The Wall Street Journal
BDP International is actively monitoring the situation and reaching out to our customers who have cargo aboard the EVER GIVEN, as well as the impact on other vessels in the area. We will continue to share updates as we receive them, but should you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your local BDP representative.
