The cargo ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal in Egypt from Tuesday, March 23, has finally been freed.
The Evergreen was re-floated on Monday, March 29 after the 1,300-foot-long ship ran aground, blocking all other traffic using the Canal.
“The MV Ever Given was successfully re-floated at 04:30 lt 29/03/2021. She is being secured at the moment,” said maritime logistics operator, Inchcape Shipping on Twitter. “More information about next steps will follow once they are known.”
The MV Ever Given was successfully re-floated at 04:30 lt 29/03/2021. She is being secured at the moment. More information about next steps will follow once they are known. #suezcanel #maritime pic.twitter.com/f3iuYYiRRi
— Inchcape Shipping (@Inchcape_SS) March 29, 2021
According to Daily Mail, the full moon caused high tides that worked to the advantage of teams trying to dislodge the 220,000-tonne ship.
The exact cause of the ship running aground is still unclear.
Head of the Suez Canal Authority, Lt. Gen. Osama Rabei said that strong winds were “not the only cause” for the incident. He added that an investigation is ongoing but does not rule out “human or technical error”.
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement says there was no “mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding,” however one initial report mentioned a “blackout” at the time of the incident.
The Japanese owner of the ship, Shoei Kisen Kaish, has apologised for the disruption to global trade, as the blockage held up an estimated $9.6 billion of goods a day, according to CGTN. “We sincerely apologize for causing a great deal of worry to ships in the Suez Canal and those planning to go through the canal,” he said.
Picture: Twitter/Ankitttttt_Mr
