After hours of intense efforts by tugboats, the bulk carrier Xin Hai Tong 23, which had been grounded in the Suez Canal, has been successfully refloated, announced shipping agent Leth Agencies. The vessel, sailing under the Hong Kong flag, was previously positioned at an angle near the canal’s eastern side, marked as “not under command” on the Marine Traffic ship tracker. The Suez Canal Authority has not yet commented on the recent development.
This incident evoked memories of a similar event two years ago when the Suez Canal, renowned as one of the world’s busiest waterways, came to a standstill for nearly a week due to a massive container ship blocking its path. The colossal vessel, named Ever Given and operated by Taiwanese company Evergreen Marine, caused significant disruptions to global trade, resulting in a substantial backlog of hundreds of ships awaiting passage through the canal.
The successful refloating of the Xin Hai Tong 23 brings relief and avoids a potential repeat of the previous trade chaos. The assistance of three Egyptian tugboats was instrumental in the salvage operation. The Suez Canal remains critical for international maritime commerce, facilitating the transportation of goods between Asia, Europe, and Africa. With the Xin Hai Tong 23 now freed, the flow of maritime traffic in the canal is expected to resume smoothly, enabling the efficient movement of goods across the globe.