Donn
02-08-2006, 01:53 PM
<img src= "http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41219000/gif/_41219546_egypt_map203.gif">
Suez canal blocked by cargo ship
A cargo ship has blocked the Suez canal, jamming traffic in one of the world's busiest waterways.
The 93,000-tonne Hong Kong-flagged ship drifted from its path and became wedged across the canal as it travelled from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
Four tug boats had been sent to help pull the vessel free and ease the congestion, officials said.
The Suez is one of Egypt's main sources of revenue. Lost income is said to be $7m for each day the canal is shut.
The incident happened at 1100 local time (0900 GMT) near the town of Ismailiya, Egyptian officials said.
They said strong winds may have been a factor.
At least seven ships that were in the vessel's convoy remained blocked behind it and transit in both directions had to be stopped.
Some 7.5% of world sea trade passes through the canal, which is 190km-long (118 miles) and 300m-wide (984ft) at its narrowest.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/4694326.stm
Published: 2006/02/08 17:15:18 GMT
Suez canal blocked by cargo ship
A cargo ship has blocked the Suez canal, jamming traffic in one of the world's busiest waterways.
The 93,000-tonne Hong Kong-flagged ship drifted from its path and became wedged across the canal as it travelled from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
Four tug boats had been sent to help pull the vessel free and ease the congestion, officials said.
The Suez is one of Egypt's main sources of revenue. Lost income is said to be $7m for each day the canal is shut.
The incident happened at 1100 local time (0900 GMT) near the town of Ismailiya, Egyptian officials said.
They said strong winds may have been a factor.
At least seven ships that were in the vessel's convoy remained blocked behind it and transit in both directions had to be stopped.
Some 7.5% of world sea trade passes through the canal, which is 190km-long (118 miles) and 300m-wide (984ft) at its narrowest.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/4694326.stm
Published: 2006/02/08 17:15:18 GMT