This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/519448-suez-ship-stuck-free/

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Giant container ship stuck in Suez Canal FREED after blocking vital waterway for nearly a week (VIDEO) Giant container ship stuck in Suez Canal partially refloated in 1st step to unblock one of world’s busiest waterways (VIDEO)
(about 1 hour later)
The skyscraper-sized container ship has been refloated nearly a week after it became lodged sideways in the Suez Canal, bringing traffic to a screeching halt and causing billions of dollars in losses due to delivery delays. The skyscraper-sized container ship that has been lodged sideways in the Suez Canal for nearly a week was moved away from the bank of the canal, but is not completely afloat yet, the ship’s owner said.
A spokesperson for the Japanese firm Shoei Kisen Kaisha told AFP that its vessel, the Ever Given, was “stuck at an angle of 30 degrees towards the canal but that has eased,” adding that the ship “has turned” but “is not afloat.” 
The news appears to be the first real victory in the operation to unblock the vital shipping route which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Leth Agencies, the company that provides logistics in the canal, reported that the ship has been partially refloated, pending official confirmation from the Suez Canal Authority.
Data from ship-tracking websites Vessel Finder and Marine Traffic shows that a flotilla of tugboats succeeded in dislodging the ship from the banks.
The long-awaited liberation of the ship sparked raucous celebrations at the port. The vessels trapped by the giant ‘beached’ vessel for almost a week blew their horns as they rejoiced at the news.The long-awaited liberation of the ship sparked raucous celebrations at the port. The vessels trapped by the giant ‘beached’ vessel for almost a week blew their horns as they rejoiced at the news.
The Ever Given was refloated at 4:30am local time on Monday, Inchcape tweeted, adding that the ship, which is one of the largest container vessels in the world, is “being secured at the moment.”The Ever Given was refloated at 4:30am local time on Monday, Inchcape tweeted, adding that the ship, which is one of the largest container vessels in the world, is “being secured at the moment.”
Earlier on Monday, the Suez Canal Authority reported that 10 tug boats would push and pull the Panama-flagged ship from four different directions at dawn, hoping to make use of high tide.Earlier on Monday, the Suez Canal Authority reported that 10 tug boats would push and pull the Panama-flagged ship from four different directions at dawn, hoping to make use of high tide.
It is unclear when the 360 ships waiting in the massive traffic jam to transit the channel will be given the green light to pass.It is unclear when the 360 ships waiting in the massive traffic jam to transit the channel will be given the green light to pass.
The blockage of the waterway, which accounts for about 15% of world shipping traffic, was estimated to incur a $400 million loss per hour due to delays. The incident also cost the canal up to $14 million in lost revenue daily. On average, 50 vessels pass through the narrow waterway connecting Europe to Asia per day.The blockage of the waterway, which accounts for about 15% of world shipping traffic, was estimated to incur a $400 million loss per hour due to delays. The incident also cost the canal up to $14 million in lost revenue daily. On average, 50 vessels pass through the narrow waterway connecting Europe to Asia per day.
DETAILS TO FOLLOWDETAILS TO FOLLOW