A large ship was successfully refloated with help from tugboats after being stuck in the Suez Canal for several hours on Thursday, averting a repeat of the 2021 stranding of the M/V Ever Given which lasted for nearly a week and severely disrupted global trade.
In this photo provided by The Suez Canal Authority in Egypt, the bulk carrier ship Xin Hai Tong 23, ... [+]
The ship in question is the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier M/V Xin Hai Tong 23 and it got grounded at 4 a.m. local time as it was traveling southward, shipping agency Leth announced on Twitter.
The tug boats were able to successfully refloat the stranded bulk carrier at around 7:40 a.m. local time, according to a follow-up statement by Leth Agencies.
The Suez Canal Authority issued a statement saying the ship was dealing with an emergency malfunction.
The convoy of ships moving northwards was scheduled to enter the canal at 6:00 a.m. local time, but will now do so at 9:30 a.m., the statement added.
According to the tracker Vessel Finder, Xin Hai Tong 23 has already made its way through the Suez Canal.