Ever Given container ship crosses Suez Canal under tight emergency measures

CAIRO – 11 December 2021: The Panamanian container Ship “Ever Given," which was once stuck at the shipping course of the Suez Canal, returned to pass through the canal as part of the as part of the southern convoy coming from the Red Sea towards the Mediterranean through the new Suez Canal.

Ever Given, one of the largest container ships in the world, blocked the Suez Canal in March, disrupting global trade and impeding navigation. The stranding happened during its voyage from China to the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

After it was floated a few days later by the Suez Canal Authority, it got another chance for passage through the canal this week. The ship, later to its successful release, underwent over 20 days of repair at the shipyard of Qingdao Beihai Heavy Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, in China.

The Suez Canal Authority raised the state of emergency within the navigational course of the canal, to safely cross the ship, and two tugs, one in the front and the other in the rear, were assigned to accompany the ship during its transit journey. In addition, the Suez Canal Authority chose two of its best senior guides, to guide the Panamanian ship during its journey, which may take about 10 hours.