The Suez Canal blocked by a container ship

According to several sources the traffic of the Suez Canal, one of the most important world arteries of the marine traffic is blocked since yesterday evening, by a container ship that would have capsized near the southern end of the Canal. For the time being, all attempts at refloating have been unsuccessful.

The “megaship” Ever Given (400 meters long and 59 meters wide with 220,000 tons) going from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, would have blocked the passage following a damage to the helm.

If the theory of cyber attack or power blackout has been advanced by some on twitter, according to The Gardian, the ship’s operator, Evergreen Marine Corp, told Agence-France Presse: “The container accidentally ran aground after a suspected gust of wind hit it.”

“The company has urged the shipowner to report the cause of the incident and has been in discussions with relevant parties including the canal management authority to assist the ship as soon as possible.” The Gardian

With this accident, 10% of the world’s maritime traffic remained blocked for a long time, causing a huge traffic jam on both sides of the canal.