Update: Ever Given partially re-floated, but Canal still blocked
Suez Canal still closed after mega containership grounds after losing steerage way. Authorities say traffic will resume as soon as vessel is towed to another location.
Egyptian authorities say they they have partially re-floated the stricken 20,388-TEU ULCS, Ever Given, and will be able to re-open the Suez Canal as soon as the ship has been towed to another location.
A backlog of ships has been building up at both ends of the strategic waterway since yesterday, but the vessel was reported afloat as of 1000 UTC Wednesday.
The Ever Given is owned by Japan’s Shoei Kisen and is operated on long-term charter by Taiwan’s Evergreen. Evergreen said in a media statement that the vessel “was grounded accidentally after deviating from its course due to suspected sudden strong wind”.
Seven tug boats operated by the Suez Canal Authority and Svitzer are attending to the vessel. The southern section of the Canal is single lane and any blockage to it effectively seals the entire Canal to through-traffic.
