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BSM: huge containership in Suez Canal has been refloated

No longer stuck: the Ever Given, a Panama-flagged cargo ship, is pulled by one of the Suez Canal tugboats, in the Suez Canal, Egypt (Photograph by Suez Canal Authority via AP)

A huge containership that blocked Egypt’s Suez Canal for six days is moving once more after being successfully refloated.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), which has an office on Par-la-Ville Road, are the technical managers of the ship Ever Given.

The containership is one of the largest in the world, it weighs 200,000 tonnes and is 400-metres long. It ran aground on Tuesday while heading north under pilotage through the Suez Canal, en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands. Initial investigations suggest it grounded due to strong wind.

The canal is 120 miles long, but only 205 metres wide and 24 metres deep. It is one of the key maritime trade routes between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The Ever Given became stuck at an angle, preventing any other ships from passing.

On average, 50 vessels a day normally transit the canal.

Efforts to refloat the Ever Given had been ongoing since it grounded. It was finally refloated at 3pm local time today. It is now heading to the Great Bitter Lake where it will undergo a full inspection.

A spokesperson for BSM said: “BSM extends its deepest gratitude to all parties involved in the emergency response, including the Suez Canal Authority, SMIT Salvage and the crew on board, who worked tirelessly to free the vessel and to restore navigability in the Suez Canal.”

The company said there had been no reports of pollution or cargo damage and initial investigations ruled out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding.

All relevant authorities and parties were informed immediately of the grounding, and tugs arranged by the canal authorities were assigned to help refloat the ship.

A crew of 25 Indian nationals remained aboard the vessel. BSM said they were safe, in good health, and have been working closely with all parties involved in helping with the refloating efforts.

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Published March 29, 2021 at 11:47 am (Updated March 29, 2021 at 11:47 am)

BSM: huge containership in Suez Canal has been refloated

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