EU, Arab states congratulate Egypt on freeing giant ship stuck in Suez Canal

CAIRO – 29 March 2021: The European Union and Arab states congratulated Egypt on Monday for successfully releasing the mammoth Ever Given ship that had blocked the Suez Canal since Tuesday.

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

“Mabrouk (congratulations) to Egypt and the world for the successful floating of the container ship that blocked the Suez Canal,” EU Ambassador to Egypt Christian Berger.

“Impressive work by all involved,” the EU added.

Saudi Arabia and Oman also extended their congratulations to Egypt as the world has been watching Egypt’s efforts to end the crisis step by step.  

"The great efforts made by the government and people of Egypt silenced doubts about the ability to end the crisis at this record time," Omani Ambassador to Egypt Abdullah bin Nasser wrote on Twitter.

Saudi Arabia, for its part, hailed the Egyptian efficiency and dedication to restore international maritime traffic to normal.

A Saudi statement also expressed appreciation of the Egyptian leadership under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for its efforts in dealing with the incident.

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 was freed.

There are more than 400 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.