Leth Agencies: 43 vessels resumed transit from Great Bitter Lake after ship blocking Suez Canal freed

CAIRO – 29 March 2021: The Suez Canal's service provider Leth Agencies said 43 vessels had resumed their trips from the Great Bitter Lake southwards towards the Red Sea, after the Panamian Ever Given ship that had blocked the canal for nearly a week was refloated.

Egyptian authorities announced on Monday officially restoring navigation at the Canal after releasing the mammoth ship.

There are hundreds of vessels awaiting entry thus far, including oil tankers as the ship had diagonally blocked the canal.

Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority confirmed earlier on Monday that the stranded vessel was successfully refloated in the canal. The ship started sailing toward The Bitter Lakes for inspection.

Presidential advisor Mohab Mamish said Monday that working hours at the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) will be doubled to allow awaiting ships to cross the canal.

Mamish, aid for SCA and marine port projects, told Extra News channel that Ever Given will be fully examined to make sure it is sound and able to navigate its way.

All the while, Mamish said, the SCA will make way for other ships to cross.