Large Container Ship Finally Freed From Suez Canal The 224,000-ton Ever Given had been stuck at the canal for nearly a week, leaving nearly 370 vessels, and billions in trade, at a standstill.

By Justin Chan

MartinLueke | Shutterstock

A large container ship that stalled traffic at the Suez Canal for nearly a week has finally been freed, according to the AP.

On Monday, a number of tugboats worked together to capitalize on the peak of high tide and move the 224,000-ton Ever Given vessel away from the canal's bank. Dredgers had reportedly vacuumed up sand and mud from the ship's bow, as 10 tugboats pushed and pulled the Ever Given for five days.

"We pulled it off!" Peter Berdowski, CEO of Boskalis, the salvage firm that was tapped to dislodge the ship, said in a statement. "I am excited to announce that our team of experts, working in close collaboration with the Suez Canal Authority, successfully refloated the Ever Given … thereby making free passage through the Suez Canal possible again."

The Ever Given will now head toward the Great Bitter Lake — a saltwater lake in Egypt located along the canal — where it will be inspected, AP adds.

Operated by Taiwan-based shipping company Evergreen Marine Corp., the ship was carrying between Asia and Europe when it was caught in 40-knot winds and a sandstorm last Tuesday. At the time of the incident, the Ever Given had also allegedly traveled above the canal's speed limit of 8.6 knots.

As a result of the blockage, at least 367 vessels, some of which were carrying crucial oil, were left waiting to cross the canal. Last week, Lloyd's List estimated that the backup had impacted westbound traffic by nearly $5.1 billion a day and eastbound traffic by approximately $4.5 billion.

Though the container ship has now been moved, the AP notes that ship operators have yet to determine when the canal will reopen for business. The canal accounts for 10% of global trade.

Justin Chan

Entrepreneur Staff

News Writer

Justin Chan is a news writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, he was a trending news editor at Verizon Media, where he covered entrepreneurship, lifestyle, pop culture, and tech. He was also an assistant web editor at Architectural Record, where he wrote on architecture, travel, and design. Chan has additionally written for Forbes, Reader's Digest, Time Out New YorkHuffPost, Complex, and Mic. He is a 2013 graduate of Columbia Journalism School, where he studied magazine journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @jchan1109.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

'It's Getting Worse By the Week': Kevin O'Leary Issues Grave Warning About Commercial Real Estate Industry

The "Shark Tank" star spoke to impending devaluation of stocks in the industry on FOX Business' "Varney & Co."

Business News

Katy Perry Is Fighting the Founder of 1-800-Flowers for a $15 Million California Mansion He Doesn't Want to Sell Her

The eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom estate sits on nearly nine acres in the Santa Ynez foothills in Montecito.

Business News

These Great-Grandparents Booked 51 Back-to-Back Cruises Because It's 'Cheaper Than a Retirement Home'

Retirees Marty and Jess Ansen hopped on a cruise ship nearly two years ago and never left.

Business News

Walgreens' Battle Over High-Tech Cooler Doors Heats Up

The lawsuit, initially filed in June, is seeking $200 million in damages.

Business News

'Beware': Tom Hanks Warns of AI Danger After Advertisement Uses His Likeness Without Permission

The actor shared a screenshot of the false advertisement to his 9.5 million Instagram followers.

Management

5 Essential Tips on How to Be a Great Manager

Here are five key tips that will help you become an effective and successful manager.