Ever Given stranded in Suez Canal floats free
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The massive cargo ship Ever Given, which was stuck in the Suez Canal for almost a week, has finally been free from the impasse, clearing sea traffic, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) stated on Monday. The chairman of the SCA Osama Rabie said that the gigantic vessel had been successfully freed after a week-long effort.
After six days and nights of trying, the salvage teams worked both on land and water to straighten its head and pull back the vessel out from the wedged side of the canal.
Images and videos circulated of tug boats honking in celebration on Monday as relief and joy filled the air since the Ever Given ran aground last Tuesday.
"The world can now rest assured about the passage of goods and needs through this pivotal shipping route. Egyptians have succeeded today in ending the crisis of the stuck ship in the Suez Canal despite the great complexities surrounding this situation in every aspect," President Abdel Fattah El Sisi tweeted.
According to the latest figures, almost 369 ships loaded with oil, fuel, and other commodities were stranded. It is expected that the queue of vessels would be cleared within four days.
According to experts, the waterway may take time to resurface to its normal passage level though the Ever Given refloated.
The Japanese freighter and Taiwanese-run Ever Given is capable of carrying 2,24,000 tonnes of cargo. It is estimated that the passage enables the transport of goods worth $9.6Bn per day.