EVER Given is free from the sandy banks of the Suez Canal six days after it grounded, halting all shipping through the canal.
Vessel trackers show the ship in the Great Bitter Lake, the mid-point of the canal, with vessels moving south through the previously-blocked southern section of the canal.
Reuters reported that Suez Canal Authority (SCA) chairman Osama Rabie told reporters 113 ships were expected to transit the canal in both directions by early Tuesday morning, and a total of 422 vessels were waiting in line. He said it could take up to three days to clear the backlog.
Smit Salvage owner Boskalis said about 30,000 cubic metres of sand had been dredged to re-float the ship and 11 tugs, along with two powerful sea tugs were used to pull the ship free.
Evergreen Line said the vessel would be repositioned to the Great Bitter Lake where it would be inspected for seaworthiness. Once the inspection is finalised, the company said decisions would be made regarding arrangements for cargo onboard.
Earlier, the SCA said successful push and tow manoeuvres led to a restoration of much of the vessel’s direction, and further attempts would be made at high tide. Tides were predicted to be particularly high today, reaching just more than two metres.
