Update: Massive container ship lodged in Suez Canal freed

Authorities at the Suez Canal reported that the Ever Given container ship, which has been lodged since last Wednesday, has officially been dislodged and is now floating.

Marine traffic websites show images of the ship away from the banks of the Suez Canal. A noon tide reportedly helped tug boats wrench free the 220,000 tonne ship.

It is as of yet unclear when traffic can resume along the canal as usual.

Earlier on Monday

The stern (rear) of a massive container ship wedged across the Suez Canal for almost a week, blocking traffic along the world’s busiest maritime trade-route, has been freed from the shoreline, according to officials.

It added that efforts to move the boat would continue later on Monday, and that the ship’s course had been corrected by 80 per cent.

While Monday morning’s progress of dislodging the Ever Given’s stern raised hopes that traffic along the canal would be able to resume within hours, the boss of the Dutch company working on the operation cautioned its bow (front) is still stuck “rock solid”.

Egyptian officials, however, stuck a more optimistic tone, saying that crews plan to refloat the vessel later on Monday.

The 400-meter-long Ever Given has been blocking the Suez Canal for almost a week, forcing massive traffic jams and companies to reroute ships around Africa. The canal sees around 10 per cent of global maritime trade pass through it. It is estimated that $9.6 billion (€8.5 billion) worth of goods is being held up due to the blockage each day.