The 2018-built 20,388 teu Ever Given, which was en route from Shenzhen to Rotterdam, was photographed by crew onboard another ship in the canal, the Maersk Denver, blocking the canal in both directions after it became stuck near the canal's Red Sea entrance. At this time, the cause of the incident is unclear.

The canal authority has sent several tugs to help refloat the ship, while a long queue of ships has formed waiting to pass through.

The operation to refloat the ship, which could involve removing sand around the ship, according to Egyptian local reports citing the Suez Canal Authority, could take days.

Maritime Business World