Dislodging the Suez Canal Ship Said to Need at Least a Week

[Klaralven]

Dislodging the container vessel blocking the Suez Canal will take until at least Wednesday, a longer effort than initially feared that will amplify the disruption to global supply chains for everything from oil to grains to cars.

The extended halt to traffic through one of the world’s most important waterways is stretching a container-shipping industry that’s already operating at full capacity. It threatens costly delays for European companies that rely on a steady flow of Asian imports and for consumers who’ve grown fond of fast online purchases during the pandemic.

The task of re-floating the 200,000-ton ship called Ever Given, which is still firmly wedged across the vital maritime trade route, will require about a week of work and potentially longer, said people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified. Rescue efforts had initially been expected to last only a couple of days.

“The delays are likely to increase costs, adding to already widespread inflationary pressure on supply chains,” said Chris Rogers, lead trade analyst for S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Panjiva. “The short-term ripple effects will be an increased potential for stock-outs in consumer goods and the risk that just-in-time manufacturing supply chains that had already been roiled by Brexit and commodity shortages may face further interruptions.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-25/big-container-lines-consider-diverting-ships-around-africa

Appears to be a picture taken directly at the stern end of the ship.

[Turbineguy]

1. One of the interesting things in containerized shipping

is the interest rate. The cargo is financed and then shipped. At high interest rates, a single day's delay eats into profits. This is why container ships are fairly fast, being capable of running 25-26 knots.

[Xavier Breath]

2. Looks like some '80s video game monster

is gobbling up a neighborhood.

I feel for the crew of that ship. This will be one episode people will be dredging up (pun intended) to them for years to come.

[maxrandb]

3. Maybe they should try "Sally Ship"

Sally Ship

A method of freeing a vessel grounded on mud in which the crew forms a line and runs back and forth athwartships. The goal is to cause the ship to rock back and forth, breaking the mud's suction and freeing her with little or no hull damage.

We actually had to do Sally Ship as part of some stupid initiation ceremony when I was in the Navy.