The Ever Given container ship that has spent the last week wedged across the Suez Canal is under way again after being successfully refloated on Monday afternoon, ending the blockage of traffic in the strategic waterway that disrupted global trade and impacted international markets.
Tracking data showed the 400-metre vessel in the centre of the channel and making 3.1 knots.
Helped by the peak of high tide, a flotilla of tugboats managed to wrench the bulbous bow of the skyscraper-sized Ever Given from the canal's sandy bank, where it had been firmly lodged since last Tuesday.
Evergreen Line, the time charterer of the vessel, confirmed the ship was refloated.
After hauling the fully laden 220,000-tonne vessel over the canal bank, the salvage team pulled it towards the Great Bitter Lake, a wide stretch of water halfway between the north and south end of the canal, where the ship will undergo technical inspection, canal authorities said.
The results of the inspection will also determine whether the ship can resume its scheduled service.
Once it is complete, a decision and arrangements will be made about the cargo on board.
Traffic through the waterway began resuming on Monday night, with YM Wish, Maersk Emeraldas and Ever Globe being the first vessels to head towards the canal.
Canal authorities have also said that once the channel is free they will begin to investigate how the ship came to be wedged across the canal.
Capt Farhad Patel, director of leading Middle East shipping company Sharaf shipping agency who has teams on site, told The National that the Ever Given is expected to reach Bitter Lake by midnight on Monday and they expect ships to resume transit through the canal at nine pm local time according to official data.
Authorities say they will first clear the 43 ships currently at anchor in Bitter Lake from around 5am on Tuesday morning before north and southbound convoys resume some time after, Capt Patel said.
"Also, Port Said authorities instructed 30 ships to heave up anchor and to prepare their engines," he added.
The planned number of vessels per day has yet to be set by the Suez Canal Authority but maritime expert Ranjith Raja, head of MENA Oil and Shipping Research at data company Refinitiv, said that 90 to 100 ships a day is possible with the right logistics. That would be roughly double the usual daily average of around 50.
Refinitiv estimated it could take more than 10 days to clear the backlog of ships.
Where is the 'Ever Given' – track live
For nearly a week, the Ever Given container ship has been wedged across Egypt's Suez Canal, blocking international passage through one of the most important trade routes in the world.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, on social media, thanked everyone who took part in the effort to refloat the Ever Given, saying the operation was carried out in the face of "massive technical complexity".
"The world can now rest assured about the passage of goods and needs through this pivotal shipping route ... Egyptians today proved that they are always up to the challenge," he wrote.
While Suez Canal Authorities work to clear the backlog of ships, dozens of vessels have opted for the alternate route around the Cape of Good Hope at Africa’s southern tip – a 5,000-kilometre detour that adds at least two weeks to journeys and costs ships hundreds of thousands of dollars in fuel and other costs.
On Monday morning, Suez Canal Authority chairman Osama Rabie said that the Ever Given has been turned "80 per cent in the right direction," and that "the stern [had been] moved 102 metres from the shore".
Previous attempts to move the vessel had only succeeded in moving it less than 10 metres.
Shipping experts, including a captain in contact with people at the scene who spoke to The National, said that the early progress was significant.
But ship owner Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd warned that it had not been fully refloated, with the bow still jammed in sand and mud.
The company also warned that a window of opportunity to fully move the vessel would depend on tides.
Efforts continued through the day on Monday until the ship appeared to have been freed mid afternoon.
Just before the ship was freed, it appeared there had been a major set back as it swung back through the channel although sources said it did not reground.
Oil prices fell on news that the stern of the ship had been freed from the sand and mud after extensive dredging around the stranded vessel. More than 400 ships are now stuck partway through the canal, at either entrance or en route.
Captain Farhad Patel, director of Sharaf shipping agency, told The National after the early progress that things were moving "positively".
"We have to be clear, the vessel has just refloated and the canal authorities and the salvage companies are making all attempts to clear the canal,” he said.
"Presently, we have been advised that the tugs have been positioned in a pull-off manoeuvre so that the bow can be freed, thus freeing the vessel from her aground position."
Efforts have been intensifying to push and pull the Ever Given with 10 tugboats and dredgers vacuuming up 27,000 cubic metres of sand.
A total of 17 tugboats and support vessels were involved in the last big effort to move the ship.
Video shared online early on Monday claimed to show the moments after the boat was refloated, with Suez Canal authority personnel heard rejoicing and shouting "Allahu Akbar".
The tugs include the Dutch-registered Alp Guard and the Italian-registered Carlo Magno, according to Leth Agencies. The two vessels arrived at the canal over the last 24 hours.
Mohab Mamish, a presidential adviser for canal projects and former canal authority chief, said a third attempt would be made at 4.30pm local time.
More than 450 ships are now stuck waiting or anchored in open sea at the Red Sea or the Mediterranean close to both ends of the canal.
The backlog is one more strain for international supply chains already stretched by the pandemic as the canal is a conduit for about 12 per cent of global trade.
Saudi Arabia threw a lifeline to shipping companies on Monday saying that vessels docked at Jeddah port would be exempt from paying storage fees for 60 days.
The decision was made to assist supply chains and global transport, with Saudi Arabia's general authority for ports saying Jeddah, which is around 1,000km south of Suez and en route for ships headed to the canal, is able to accommodate a large number of vessels.
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
RESULT
Wolves 1 (Traore 67')
Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')
Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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THREE
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
