Egypt's Suez Canal blocked by stranded container ship blown sideways in dust storm
An unlikely maritime traffic jam is blocking one of the world’s most important shipping lanes after a massive cargo ship got stuck sideways across the waterway.
Tankers were seen lining up for hours near the entrance of Egypt’s Suez Canal, which accounts for 12 percent of world trade and usually allows 50 cargo ships to pass between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea daily.
A severe dust storm and poor visibility are to blame for the 220,000-tonne, 400-meter (1,312 feet) container vessel turning sideways near the Southern end of the canal on Tuesday morning.
Egyptian officials at the Suez Canal Authority confirmed they are still trying to refloat the ship, named Ever Given, after it ran aground on its journey from China to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Several rescue attempts to dislodge the ship have so far failed.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/egypt-s-suez-canal-blocked-stranded-container-ship-blown-sideways-n1261891