Suez Canal: Ship Successfully Refloates After Mechanical Issue

According to the Canal Authority, a container ship that had broken down in Egypt’s Suez Canal causing some traffic to be diverted has resumed its journey. The MSC ISTANBUL, which was sailing under the flag of Liberia, became stranded while transiting the canal on its way from Malaysia to Portugal on Sunday.

Four tugboats had been working to move the ship, but traffic in the vital waterway had not been affected. The statement from the authority said, “All the ships that are coming from the north have normally passed and navigation from the south also proceeded normally after the ships were diverted from the western channel to the eastern channel.” Eikon shipping data showed the incident occurring in the early evening.

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This is not the first time a ship has caused disruption in the Suez Canal. In 2021, the Ever Given, a huge container ship, became stuck in high winds across a single-lane southern section of the canal. The blockage resulted in traffic being blocked for six days before it could be dislodged. The incident highlighted the importance of the canal as a vital trade route for global commerce.