Suez Canal unblocked, Ever Given container ship partially afloat

The Ever Given container ship blocking the Suez Canal in Egypt since March 23 has been partially refloated today in the morning of March 29, Reuters reports.

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said on Monday the vessel had been mostly straightened along the eastern bank of the canal and further tugging operations would resume once the tide rose later in the day, the message reads.

"After dredging and excavation over the weekend, rescue workers from the SCA and a team from Dutch firm Smit Salvage had been trying to free the ship using tug boats in the early hours of Monday," two marine and shipping sources said, Reuters writes.

Around midday, tugs could be seen maneuvering around the ship, some with tow lines attached, churning the water beneath them.

Marine traffic through the canal will restart once the ship is directed to the lakes area — a wider section of the canal, the SCA said.

Previously reported that the Suez Canal blockage might delay nearly 7% of seaborne U.S. major grain shipments.