Ever Given Finally Loses Its Canal-side Holdout – Suez Gets a Free Day
The colossal container chariot Ever Given, infamous for muting the Suez Canal for a full six days back in March, has finally managed a smooth slip through the waterway as of Friday, August 20.
Convoy Chaos and Calm
- 26 vessels joined the ship in a tightly arranged convoy heading from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.
- Simultaneously, 36 other ships navigated the canal from the southern side.
Picture a synchronized swim of mega ships led by a team of seasoned SCA pilots and two tugboats – a slick version of “Dancing with the Ships” that kept the Ever Given on track through the historically narrow passage.
Re‑roadmap of a Shipping Saga
On March 23, in a whirlwind of high wind and a pinch of fate, the 400‑meter titan slammed sideways, locking the canal and sending a ripple of delays across the globe. After 106 days of negotiation and a quietly settled deal between the SCA, the ship’s operators, and insurers, the vessel finally shed its anchorage and set sail on July 7.
The ship made a triumphant detour to Rotterdam on July 29, then found its next stop in Felixstowe, England – a true globe‑trotting itinerary for a heavyweight of the seas.
Why This Move Matters
About 15% of worldwide maritime freight uses the Suez Canal as the fastest route between Europe and Asia. The Ever Given’s recent crossing marks its 22nd voyage through this pivotal stretch, waving a proud flag of continued operation.
Tracking the Progress
Through platforms like Marinetraffic.com and Vesselfinder.com, observers confirmed the ship’s presence in the Red Sea after its canal clearance, proving that real‑time tracking still beats any rumors about old sea‑going super‑ships with a mind of their own.
With the Ever Given no longer a blockade, merchants and planners can exhale a little; the canal is humming again, and shipping lanes are back on track. Cheers to the SCA pilots and tug crews for turning a colossal maritime pothole into an uneventful passage, and kudos to the ship’s steady—and slightly unstoppable—engine.
