Efforts to refloat the southbound vessel that became grounded at 1430 local time on Tuesday, August 25th in the newly expanded Suez Canal, Egypt are still underway, according to the most recent update ISS Egypt.
“Suez Canal Authority (SCA) tugs are still assisting the vessel for re-floating operation. Please note the grounding incident is not affecting the navigation in the Suez Canal waters and navigational channel is NOT blocked,” the update reads.
Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) warned of delays and tailbacks in the Suez Canal following the grounding on Tuesday. Namely, ten vessels were reported to be in a tailback behind the grounded ship.
Suez Canal Authority (SCA) tugs were sent to the scene, at KM 101, to help re-float the vessel to move the obstruction and enable southbound traffic to be cleared, ISS said.
Details on the name of the ship and potential cause of the grounding are yet to be revealed.
The expanded canal has been inaugurated on August 6th, enabling bigger vessels to transit the USD 8 billion waterway.
Egypt expects that up to 20,000 ships will transit the route on a yearly basis. It is estimated that around 10% of all global maritime trade passes through the Suez Canal, equaling to 18,000 ships per year.
Since the inauguration, the canal also saw one of the world’s largest container ships, CSCL Globe, sail through the waterway on Tuesday, August 25th, according to a statement from the Chairman of Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Mamish. The Hong Kong-registered CSCL Globe measures more than 400m (1,313ft) in length.
World Maritime News Staff