Giant ship finally freed, allowing Suez Canal to reopen

The giant Ever Given container ship was finally pulled free from the bank of the Suez Canal, allowing for a massive tailback of ships to start navigating once again through one of the world’s most important trade routes.

Almost a week after it was stranded across the critical waterway, snarling global trade that was already under strain, salvage teams pulled the ship free from the sandy bank with tugs. Horns sounded in celebration as she made her way up the canal after an operation that involved moving 30,000 cubic meters of sand. The canal authority said navigation would resume, without setting a time. Container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd AG expects transit through the waterway to start Monday evening, and the backlog of vessels to be cleared within four days. Highlights: