Suez Canal Blockage Enters Sixth Day... Attempts to Float Ships Using High Tide

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunbyeol] As the massive container ship accident continues to block the Suez Canal, connecting Asia and Europe, for the sixth day, attempts to refloat the stranded vessel are expected to continue with the rising tide of the high tide.

According to AP News and others on the 28th (local time), two additional large tugboats will be deployed at the site of the stranded container ship Ever Given in the Suez Canal. The tugboats currently en route to the Suez Canal via the Red Sea are the Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and the Italian-flagged Carlo Magno. These vessels will work together with more than 10 tugboats already on site to refloat the stranded ship.

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced at a press conference the previous day that they plan to attempt to refloat the hull twice during the high tide today.

If there is no progress in today's refloating attempts, some of the approximately 20,000 containers on board will need to be offloaded to reduce the weight. A crane prepared by the salvage company hired by the shipowner is expected to arrive at the site today for this purpose.

However, unloading the cargo will take more time and naturally extend the canal's shutdown period, so authorities hope to avoid this situation. A tugboat captain who requested anonymity told AP News, "Sunday is very important. The work on this day will determine the next steps, and there is a high possibility that some of the cargo on the ship will be offloaded."

The Ever Given, which departed from China and was heading to Rotterdam, Netherlands, ran aground in the middle of the Suez Canal on the morning of the 23rd. This accident has caused massive damage by blocking the passage of the Suez Canal, a key route for global trade.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.