The 'Ever Given' in the Suez Canal

For a week, we've been watching the super container ship 'Ever Given' lodged across the Suez Canal blocking billions in cargo traffic stuck behind her in both directions. Tugs tried to push her, diggers tried to dig her out. Yesterday, the Egyptian President ordered her unloaded which would take about a week. The memes were relentless. 

The 'Ever Given' is one of the largest ships permitted to transit the Suez Canal. According to BBC, "The Ever Given is 400m long (1,312ft) and weighs 200,000 tonnes, with a maximum capacity of 20,000 containers. It is currently carrying 18,300 containers. The ship is operated by Taiwanese transport company Evergreen Marine and is one of the world's largest container vessels."

Had they unloaded her cargo, it would have been done ecologically and culturally appropriate...

Meanwhile, some ships took off around the bottom of Africa while others dropped anchor and counted the losses. Estimates are that Egypt alone is losing about $15 million per day of revenue from the Canal. It's unknown what all those containers hold, but I'm sure lots of supply chains are disrupted as a result. And given the shortage of containers during this pandemic, it's only going to get worse. 

A higher tide enabled the tugs to finally free her from the sands. It will be a while before the Canal is open to traffic again. 

Meanwhile, FleetMon has created a simulation of how the accident happened. The memes continue...