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The MV Ever Given has been wedged diagonally on the span of the Suez Canal since Tuesday.
Suez:
The head of the Egyptian Suez Canal Authority said on Saturday that high winds were not the main reason for the MV Ever Given cargo ship grounding in the waterway.
“Strong winds and meteorological factors were not the main reasons for the grounding of the ship, there may have been technical or human errors,” Osama Rabie told a press conference in Suez.
“All of these factors will become apparent in the investigation,” he added.
Asked when the ship could float again, he suggested it was possible “today or tomorrow, depending on the responsiveness of the ship to the tides”.
The MV Ever Given, which is longer than four football pitches, has been stuck diagonally across the canal since Tuesday, blocking one of the world’s most vital waterways in both directions.
The head of the canal authority said more than 300 ships now sail to either end of the canal, which connects the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
Speaking to reporters in Suez, Rabie described Egypt’s efforts with tugs and excavators to free the mega-ship’s bow and propellers to reopen the canal.
Rabie noted that at 10:30 p.m. on Friday the propellers were able to turn, but not at full speed.
However, they were once again stranded due to the change in the tide, he said, adding that rescuers had to resort to excavators again overnight to continue the dredging process.
“The type of soil we are dealing with is very difficult to manage, as are the tides that affect the ship due to its size and load,” he added.
Rabie also noted that the blockade caused “no deaths or pollution.”
The grounding of the ship holds some $ 9.6 billion in cargo between Asia and Europe every day, according to data from Lloyd’s List.
Rabie estimated that Egypt loses around $ 12-14 million in canal revenue for each day it is closed.
The United States has also said it is ready to send support, including a team of experts from the United States Navy.
Rabie thanked the United States for their support, as well as China and the United Arab Emirates.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
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