A massive container ship remained stuck sideways in Egypt’s Suez Canal for nearly a week causing a major global shipping disruption.
Egyptian authorities have been working to free and re-float the ship but with little success and reports indicate Unites States of America government is sending crucial support.
The blockage that occurred on Tuesday of the important waterway is reported to be causing global trade millions of dollars daily and creating a massive “traffic jam” of ships that use the canal. Shipping agents said about 280 cargo ships were waiting outside the Suez canal as the jam continued to build up following the blockage.
The giant vessel – Ever Given – operated by Evergreen flies a Panama flag and carries goods between Europe and Asia and was using the crucial water artery that connects Africa, Europe and the Sinai Peninsula.
Efforts to free the ship have so far no materialized and there are planned to increase the number of the tag boats used in the delicate operation.
International support has been pledged to avert further trade loses with The White House saying they have equipment and capacity most countries do not have and are evaluating what they can do to assist.
It was not immediately clear what caused the vessel to lose control and get stuck sideways though strong wings have been blamed. There were reports that the ship had experienced a power blackout before the incident happened.
