- The container ship Ever Given, which run aground in the Suez Canal on 23 March, continues to be stranded there despite multiple attempts to re-float it.
- BSM, the ship’s technical management company, said late on 27 March that re-floating attempts are continuing after “significant progress was made” the prior night.
- The vessel’s rudder was released from sediment at the stern of the ship.
- However, the ship remains in place and continues to block the critical waterway.
A BBC and Argus Media news report brings out the rescue story of the stranded ship using extra tugs en route.
US also offers help
The US has also offered to send help, including a team of US Navy experts.
The Ever Given became wedged in the canal on Tuesday, forcing companies to reroute ships around Africa.
The blockage has also caused a huge traffic jam of more than 200 ships in the Red Sea.
Mr Higaki told a press conference in the western Japanese city of Imabari that they were “continuing work to remove sediment as of now, with additional dredging tools”.
Specialised suction dredger
A specialised suction dredger, which can shift 2,000 cubic metres (70,000 cubic feet) of material every hour, arrived on site on Thursday, it added.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki also said the US had offered assistance to get the Suez Canal reopened, and that they were “tracking the situation very closely”.
Suez Canal and 12% global trade
About 12% of global trade passes through the 193km (120-mile) canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and provides the shortest sea link between Asia and Europe.
An alternative route, around the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa, can take two weeks longer.
Use of additional tugs
Two additional tugs, each with towing power (bollard pull) of 220-240t, have been dispatched are scheduled to arrive at the location of the incident later today to help with the re-floating attempts, according to BSM.
The Netherlands-flagged ALP Guard is currently in the Red Sea, about 80km from Egypt’s Hurghada, according to vessel tracker FleetMon, while the Italy-flagged Carlo Magno is now around 60km off Egypt’s Safaga port. Both are expected to arrive at the location before 18:00 local time.
These tugs will join eleven others that have been working alongside the ongoing dredging operations which continue to remove sand and mud from around the port side of the vessel’s bow.
Suez Canal is a vital
The Suez Canal is a vital artery between east and west, and the risk of disruption to shipping markets increases the longer that it remains blocked. As of now, there is still little clarity on how long that will be.
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Source : BBC & Argus Media
