A container ship runs aground and obstructs the Suez Canal for six days.

The Ever Given, a massive container ship operated by the shipping company Evergreen, ran aground in the Suez Canal on March 23, 2021, blocking the crucial waterway for almost a week. The ship, which is one of the largest in the world, was traveling northbound through the canal when it lost control during a sandstorm and ran aground on the eastern bank of the canal.

The ship’s sheer size and weight, combined with the location where it became stuck, made it difficult to dislodge. The vessel’s bow and stern were both wedged against the canal’s banks, and the ship’s position was also affected by the high winds and tides. Efforts to free the ship using tugboats and dredgers were initially unsuccessful, and it was only after several days of intense effort that the ship was finally refloated and moved to a nearby lake for inspection and repairs.

The incident had a significant impact on global trade, as the Suez Canal is a crucial shipping route that connects Asia and Europe, with thousands of ships passing through it every year. The blockage disrupted supply chains, caused delays in the delivery of goods, and led to a surge in shipping costs.