Giant vessel blocking Suez Canal freed, logjam of 450 ships to be cleared

Breakthrough in rescue attempt came after diggers removed 27,000 cubic meters of sand, going deep into the banks of the Suez Canal.

The giant container ship blocking the Suez Canal has been at least partially refloated, the first step toward getting one of the world’s most important trade arteries moving again.

The Ever Given was successfully refloated at about 4:30 a.m. local time in Egypt and the vessel is currently being secured, maritime services provider Inchcape Shipping Services said in an email. It followed a new attempt to dislodge the ship involving 10 tug boats, according to the Suez Canal Authority.

There was no immediate clarity on the crucial question of when traffic in the canal will restart. The ship has a