We all are well versed in road traffic. All of us have had the experience of getting stuck in the traffic, that to for the hours together. We often heard trains getting delayed due to crossing. But have you ever heard about the traffic that lasted for almost weeks together? I am sure you might have never heard anything as such.
Ever Given World’s Largest Container Vessel Culprit Behind The Suze Canal Blockage.
we all have been following the memes and jokes that went viral over social media since last week. Though the public made memes and jokes over the Suez canal matter. It was a serious matter not only for Egypt but for the world trade at large. The Suez Canal is the most important and critical waterway for the shipping industry.
The ship names ‘Ever Given’ that has the capacity to carry 20,000 containers blocked the Suze Canal last Tuesday that is on 23 March 2021. It carried around 18.300 containers while passing the Suze canal on Tuesday. The ship is 400 meters long and weighs around 200,000 tonnes which making it one of the largest container vessels in the world. It a gigantic ship in other words. Taiwanese company Evergreen Marine operates the ship.
The actual reason behind the ship blocking the canal is still under investigation. But as of now, the strong wind storm is said to have caused the blockage. The strong wind made it impossible to navigate the way due to which the ship was lodged sideways blocking the whole of the canal.
Almost 369 ships were waiting to pass the canal from both sides. This took over 193km of the canal and created a huge waterway traffic jam. To clear the traffic and to clear the way over 14 tugboats pulled and pushed the ‘Ever Given’ at high tide. The efforts to dislodge the ship became successful on 29th March 2021. At first, the ship was moved 30 degrees from left and right after which it refloated partially.
Now the way is getting cleared slowly. But this issue is a cause of concern for the entire world’s shipping industry. As about 12% of the global trade, and 1 million barrels of oil, and roughly 8% of liquefied natural gas pass through the canal every day.
The blockage didn’t affect the one country but the whole world at large. The effect of the blockage is still a matter of evaluation. Until the situation comes back to normal. Most of the countries affected by the blockage eagerly waited for their goods and products and are still unable to get them. We all hope in the future no such blockage takes place.
Stay tuned with Stanford Arts Review for the latest updates.
