The container ship Ever Given is blocking the Suez Canal. Photo: ReutersThe shortest shipping route from Europe to Asia remains blocked as tug boats struggle to free one of the world's largest container ships after it ran aground in the Suez Canal. About 30% of global container shipping volumes pass through the canal each day, carrying everything from fuel to consumer goods. As of Wednesday, five laden LNG tankers were unable to pass through the canal due to the grounded container ship, according to data intelligence firm Kpler. "If on the other hand, the Suez Canal remains blocked for another 3-5 days, then this will start to have very serious global ramifications," he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 24, 2021 19:18 UTC