Traffic in the Suez Canal is moving again after container ship Ever Given was refloated and removed from blocking the waterway.
It took one week, the removal of 30 000 cubic metres of sand, 11 tugboats and two powerful sea tugs to finally move the massive ship.
Suez Canal Authority (SCA) chairman Osama Rabie told reporters on Tuesday that 422 vessels were waiting in line to pass through the canal.
Delayed ships in the Suez Canal racked up $24 million in expenses
“The ship came out intact and it has no problems. We’ve just searched the bottom and soil of the Suez Canal and thankfully it is sound and has no issues, and ships will pass through it today,” said Rabie.
Ever Given was stuck diagonally across the canal since Tuesday, 23 March – blocking the shortest route connecting Europe and Asia.
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Canal authorities lost approximately $14-15 million per day – which is a significant loss for Egypt.
Several shipping companies had to reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope which added on a further two week delay and cost even more money.
It is alleged that delayed ships stuck in the canal cost about $24 million in expenses, and since insurance policies don’t cover such incidents, cargo owners face massive losses – in an already strained industry.
Meanwhile, seamen stuck behind Ever Given are rejoicing at finally being able to move on again.
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