The Suez Canal Blockage: A Global Trade Disruption

A massive cargo ship, the Ever Given, ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking the entire width of the waterway and causing global shipping and energy headaches. The incident highlighted the fragility of global trade and the critical role the Suez Canal plays in it. The ship, worth around $1 billion and carrying over 17,000 containers, was on its way from Asia to Rotterdam when it encountered severe winds and a sandstorm, leading to the incident.

Causes of the Incident

Initial claims of strong winds being the cause were deemed unsatisfactory, and an investigation may reveal technical or human errors. Evidence suggests that pilots arguing and trading insults on the bridge could have contributed to the incident. The captain of the Ever Given had the final decision on whether to proceed through the Suez Canal, but faced huge financial pressures to deliver cargo to Europe on time. The dynamic between captains, crews, and local Egyptian officials can be tense, as captains must surrender some control to local pilots when navigating the canal.

Navigating the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal is a narrow and shallow waterway that can be stressful to navigate, making any mistake liable to cause an incident. Egyptian pilots advise ship captains and helmsmen on navigating the Suez waterway, warning of hazards and providing instructions, but communication can be difficult due to language barriers. The Ever Given, a 400-meter-long vessel, entered the canal in windy conditions, acting like a sail and swerving back and forth. An argument between the two Egyptian pilots on the bridge, regarding speed and weather, was intervened by the captain, but one pilot threatened to leave his post, contributing to the fraught situation.

Consequences of the Blockage

The Ever Given’s blockage of the Suez Canal caused a massive backlog of vessels waiting to transit, with goods worth $10 billion arriving daily. The canal’s critical role in global trade was highlighted, with 50 ships a day normally passing through the canal, which carries 12% of the world’s trade. The blockage resulted in significant economic losses, with the world economy losing billions of dollars every day the canal was closed.

Salvage Efforts

A plan was devised to free the stuck ship, which involved digging as well as pulling, due to the ship’s front being deeply wedged in the bank. A small excavator was used to scoop out sand, but the task seemed hopeless. The vessel’s owners hired a Dutch salvage firm, Smit, who sent a team of experts to assess the situation and potentially free the ship. Salvage experts recommended immediate preparations to offload containers and lighten the vessel, but the Suez Canal Authority was initially reluctant due to the estimated months-long process.

Refloating the Ship

A compromise was reached to proceed with towing until a crane arrived, and if the vessel remained stuck, unloading would begin. The tide was crucial, and a super moon at the end of March provided a higher tidal peak, giving salvagers the best opportunity to refloat the ship. On March 28-29, the tugs were able to move the ship, and the rear was freed first, but the front remained wedged, raising concerns that when it came free, it could swing across the canal, causing damage to other vessels and potentially grounding itself again.

Aftermath and Settlement

The crew of the Ever Given helped set up cables to shore to stabilize the ship when it was freed. An idea to take on ballast water at the rear of the ship helped lift the front, which was enough to dislodge it from the sand. With the tide change and powerful tugs pulling, the front of the ship finally came clear, and the ship was towed to the Great Bitter Lake, where it remained during a tense legal standoff with the Suez Canal Authority. The Egyptian government demanded over $900 million in compensation to release the vessel Ever Given, claiming part of it was for a salvage award and reputational damages, but later reduced their ask to $550 million, with the actual settlement amount unknown.

Conclusion

The Suez Canal blockage highlighted the importance and fragility of global trade, which can be disrupted by a single mistake. The incident captivated the world and provided insight into the critical role shipping plays in global trade, transporting goods, energy, and oil that people depend on. The world was reminded of the potential consequences of disruptions to global trade and the need for efficient and reliable shipping systems.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Aground	When a ship runs into shallow water and gets stuck, often due to navigational errors or bad weather.	The Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, causing a massive blockage.
Salvage	The act of rescuing a ship or its cargo from a dangerous or distressing situation, often requiring specialized equipment and expertise.	A Dutch salvage firm was hired to help free the stuck Ever Given from the Suez Canal.
Ballast Water	Water taken on by a ship to stabilize it and improve its balance, often used to counteract the weight of cargo.	Taking on ballast water at the rear of the ship helped lift the front of the Ever Given, dislodging it from the sand.
Reflotation	The process of making a ship float again after it has run aground or become stuck.	The salvage team worked to refloat the Ever Given, using a combination of tugs and ballast water to dislodge it from the canal bank.
Tidal Peak	The highest point of the tide, often occurring during a full moon or new moon.	The super moon at the end of March provided a higher tidal peak, giving salvagers the best opportunity to refloat the Ever Given.
Global Trade	The exchange of goods and services between countries, often relying on international shipping and logistics.	The Suez Canal blockage highlighted the importance and fragility of global trade, with billions of dollars’ worth of goods passing through the canal every day.
Helmsman	A person who steers a ship, often working under the direction of a captain or pilot.	Egyptian pilots advise ship captains and helmsmen on navigating the Suez waterway, warning of hazards and providing instructions.
Pilot	A person who guides a ship through a specific waterway or harbor, often having local knowledge and expertise.	The two Egyptian pilots on the bridge of the Ever Given argued about speed and weather, contributing to the fraught situation.
Super Moon	A full moon that occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, often resulting in higher-than-usual tides.	The super moon at the end of March provided a higher tidal peak, giving salvagers the best opportunity to refloat the Ever Given.
Backlog	A buildup of tasks, orders, or shipments that cannot be processed or delivered due to a lack of resources or capacity.	The Ever Given’s blockage of the Suez Canal caused a massive backlog of vessels waiting to transit, with goods worth $10 billion arriving daily.

Watch The Video

The Inside Story of the Ship That Broke Global Trade

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a person who is in charge of controlling the direction and speed of a ship’?

A) Captain
B) Pilot
C) Helmsman
D) Salvager

2. What does the term ‘fragility’ mean in the context of global trade?

A) Strength and resilience
B) Ability to withstand disruptions
C) Vulnerability to disruptions or failures
D) Dependence on a single route

3. Which of the following best describes the role of Egyptian pilots in navigating the Suez Canal?

A) They are responsible for steering the ship through the canal
B) They advise ship captains and helmsmen on navigating the Suez waterway
C) They are in charge of loading and unloading cargo
D) They manage the scheduling of ships through the canal

4. What was the estimated daily cost of the blockage of the Suez Canal?

A) $1 billion
B) $10 billion
C) $100 million
D) $50 million

5. What was the final step that helped dislodge the front of the Ever Given from the sand?

A) Using a small excavator to scoop out sand
B) Taking on ballast water at the rear of the ship
C) Pulling the ship with powerful tugs
D) Waiting for a super moon to provide a higher tidal peak

Answer Key:

1. C
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Prepositions “on” and “in” for Locations and Movements

The prepositions “on” and “in” are often used to describe locations and movements. For instance, “on” is used to indicate a position on a surface, such as “the ship was on its way from Asia to Rotterdam,” while “in” is used to indicate a position within a three-dimensional space, such as “the ship entered the canal in windy conditions.” Additionally, “on” can be used to describe movement along a path, like “the ship proceeded on through the Suez Canal,” whereas “in” can describe movement into an enclosed space, such as “the ship navigated in the Suez waterway.” Understanding the correct usage of these prepositions is crucial for effective communication, especially when describing complex situations like the Suez Canal blockage.

Grammar Quiz:

1. The Ever Given was ____________________ its way to Rotterdam when it encountered severe winds and a sandstorm.

in
on
at
from

2. The ship navigated ____________________ the Suez waterway, which can be stressful due to its narrowness and shallowness.

on
in
through
across

3. The captain of the Ever Given had to make a decision ____________________ whether to proceed through the Suez Canal despite the severe weather conditions.

about
on
in
at

4. The Suez Canal is a critical waterway that allows for the transportation of goods ____________________ the world, with 50 ships passing through it daily.

across
around
in
throughout

5. The salvage team worked ____________________ the stuck ship, using a combination of digging and pulling to free it from the canal bank.

on
in
at
with

Answer Key:

1. li>on

2. li>in

3. li>on

4. li>around

5. li>on