Grounding of 'Ever Given' showed importance of Suez Canal, says El Sisi

The massive container ship was stranded sideways in the waterway for almost a week

 A police man walks in front of container ship that starts moving in the Suez Canal, in Ismalia, Egypt, 30 March 2021.  EPA

The grounding of the Ever Given container ship in the Suez Canal and ensuing shipping delays have reaffirmed the importance of the waterway, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Tuesday.

"We didn't hope for something like this, but fate was doing its work. It showed and reaffirmed the reality and importance of the canal," Mr El Sisi said, as he greeted staff on a visit to the Suez Canal Authority in Ismailia.

Mr Sisi added that he was reassured that the vessel crisis in Suez Canal would end well and in peace.

There were 437 ships waiting to pass through the waterway, as the Ever Given was finally able to move, vessels had been anchored in the canal for nearly a week.

Canal Authorities say they are trying to move ships through as quickly as possible, hoping to get 140 through the waterway on Tuesday. According to the chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, 95 ships would pass by 7pm local time and another 45 by midnight in an effort to clear the traffic.

The Ever Given, meanwhile, has reached the Great Bitter Lake, where it will undergo inspections.

Horns sounded in celebration after the ship was freed from the canal's bank on Monday evening in an operation that involved moving 30,000 cubic metres of sand.

More to follow