Suez Canal reopens for traffic after cargo ship refloated

Waterway authority chief says backlog of vessels could be cleared in 3.5 days

The containership Ever Given has been refloated and will be checked for damage at Great Bitter Lake. (Photo courtesy of Suez Canal Authority)

MAO KAWANO, TAKESHI KUMON and AKANE OKUTSU, Nikkei staff writers

March 29, 2021 13:32 JST

Updated on March 30, 2021 08:03 JST

IMABARI, Japan/ISMAILIA, Egypt/TOKYO -- Traffic on the Suez Canal resumed Monday after the stranded cargo ship Ever Given was fully refloated, ending the six-day blockage of one of the world's busiest maritime lanes and shortest regular sea route between Europe and Asia.