Suez Canal ‘mega’ ship could be stuck for WEEKS as captain blames ‘SANDSTORM’ for grounding vessel

THE mega-ship grounded in the Suez Canal could be stuck for weeks, those trying to moving it fear.

The captain of the 200,000 ton Ever Given has blamed a sandstorm for losing control of the ship, which is now blocking one of the world’s trade routes.

Oil prices have surged about six per cent today after ship, which is the size of the Empire State Building, ran aground.

Egypt's Suez Canal Authority said it was trying to refloat the 1300ft long Taiwanese ship.

The authority a gale-force sandstorm, a common occurrence in the country's Sinai desert at this time of year, blotted out light and limited the captain's ability to see.

Five tug boats are currently working to try and drag the ship free.

Peter Berdowski, CEO of Dutch company Boskalis, which is trying to free the ship, said it was too early to say how long the job might take.

The ship’s bow and stern had been lifted up against either side of the canal, he explained.

“We can’t exclude it might take weeks, depending on the situation,” Berdowski told Dutch TV.

“It is like an enormous beached whale. It’s an enormous weight on the sand.

“We might have to work with a combination of reducing the weight by removing containers, oil and water from the ship, tug boats and dredging of sand.”

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BLOCK AND A HARD PLACE Suez Canal ‘mega’ ship could be stuck for WEEKS as captain blames ‘SANDSTORM’ for grounding vessel
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/14446188/suez-canal-standstill-oil-prices-rise/

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