The incident today started when the 199,700 dwt Al Muraykh reportedly lost control and was grounded in the traffic lanes southbound. Two dozen vessels were not affected and continued their transit ahead of the containership in the southbound convoy, although nine other southbound vessels were trapped behind the ship. Reportedly, the northbound convoy was also suspended.

The assistance to the stranded vessel was dispatched by the Suez Canal Authority, and after five hours the containership was refloated and transferred to an inspection anchorage, enabling traffic to resume in the Suez.

The operator of the 18,800 TEU vessel, Hapag Lloyd, announced that it expected the ship to continue uninterruptedly on its voyage.

In October, during a southbound convoy, the CMA CGM Missouri also grounded a 9,448 TEU containership.

The vessel also reportedly blacked out during the transit in that case, causing it to lose steering and ground on the canal bank, damaging its rudder. Tugboats from the Suez Canal were able to free the vessel and move it out of the traffic lane as well.

In recent instances, without causing further damage, the vessels behind the grounded ship have been able to stop. However, three bulkers collided in July 2018 after the container ship grounded in front of them.

Maritime Business World