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It is the latest ship to block the canal — a vital route for global trade that brings Egypt billions of dollars a year.
go through Sky News reporter Niamh Lynch @niamhielynch
Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 12:56 in United Kingdom
An oil tanker broke down in the Suez Canal on Sunday, disrupting traffic on the world’s vital shipping lane.
The Maltese-flagged Seavigour broke down at 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), spokesman George Safwater said Egyptof Suez Canal authority.
It was parked on the one-lane road and was towed by a tugboat to the two-lane road at 17 kilometers (10.5 miles).
The failure disrupted eight other ships behind the Seavigour, which is 274 meters (899 feet) long and 48.63 meters (159 feet) wide.
It is the latest vessel to wreak havoc after breaking down or running aground in recent years.
March 2021, container ships Ever Given Crashed Entering the Banking Single Lane, the canal was blocked for six days, causing severe delays in global trade.
A Liberian-flagged vessel also ran aground in March but resurfaced hours later.
A Hong Kong-flagged vessel also briefly blocked the canal on May 25 before refloating.
Opened in 1869, the canal is an important trade route for oil, gas and goods. About 10% of world trade flows through it.
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Some 23,851 ships passed through the waterway last year, compared with 20,649 in 2021.
Revenue from the canal reached a record $8bn (£6.4bn) last year.
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