It is stated that the giant cargo ship, which landed on Tuesday morning due to strong winds and caused the closure of the Suez Canal, one of the busiest trade routes in the world, may need to be unloaded to float, which may take weeks. Due to the closure of the channel, the price of oil in international markets increased by 4 percent yesterday. If the period extends, the markets may be more affected by this situation.
The third day of work with trailers and construction equipment for the rescue of a 220,000-ton ship with a capacity of 20,000 containers, which is approximately four football fields (400 meters) long and 59 meters wide, has entered its third day. The Panama-flagged ship, Ever Given, ran aground on its way from China to the Dutch port of Rotterdam.
SUEZ CANAL LARGEST SHIP EVER PLACED ON THE ROAD
Due to the closure of the 193-kilometer-long canal, the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe opened in 1869 and used by 19 thousand ships annually, the price of oil in international markets increased by 4 percent yesterday. Approximately 12 percent of the world trade is made through the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Built-in 2018 and operated by the Taiwan company Evergreen Marine, Ever Given is stated to be the largest ship ever to land on the Suez Canal.
SHIP TRAFFIC FORMED
While the Egyptian Government is guiding some ships to the old branch of the canal, it is reported that up to 150 ships are waiting on either side of the passageway. These ships are said to carry oil, auto parts, and other consumables.
“LIKE A GIANT Whale”
Eight trailers have been working since Tuesday morning to keep the ship afloat, and earth-moving machines are digging the sand beneath the ship. Peter Berdowski, CEO of the ship rescue company named Boskalis, stated that their data showed that Ever Given would not be able to remove the sand from the bottom and float it, saying that in this case, the cargo may need to be unloaded. “This can take weeks, depending on the circumstances. It’s like a giant whale stranding. There is an enormous weight on the sand,” Berdowski told Dutch Television, according to the UK daily Guardian.