Ever Given Suez Canal Blockage: Salvage Lessons from History's Most Watched Operation

The grounding of the 400-meter, 224,000-ton container ship Ever Given in the Suez Canal on March 23, 2021, created one of the most watched and economically significant salvage operations in maritime history. The vessel became wedged across the waterway during a sandstorm, blocking approximately 15% of all global shipping for six days.

The Suez Canal Authority hired Boskalis through its subsidiary Smit International to manage the complex salvage operation. The multi-faceted approach combined several specialized techniques: extensive dredging operations removed 27,000 cubic meters of sand from around the vessel's bow, reaching depths of 18 meters at the front of the ship.

Ten tugboats, including the Dutch-flagged Alp Guard and Italian-flagged Carlo Magno, worked in coordination to pull and push the vessel. The operation also deployed the Mashhour, the world's largest stationary cutter suction dredger at the time, demonstrating how specialized equipment can be decisive in complex salvage operations.

On March 29, after six days of intensive work, the Ever Given broke free and was moved to the Great Bitter Lake. The success was particularly notable because salvage teams achieved refloating using tugs and dredgers alone, avoiding the far more complex task of offloading the vessel's 20,000 containers.

The economic impact was staggering: an estimated $9.6 billion in goods per day was delayed, with 369 ships queuing by March 28. The incident highlighted vulnerabilities in global supply chains and the critical role of maritime salvage capabilities.

Industry lessons learned include the importance of rapid mobilization, the value of diverse salvage techniques, and the need for comprehensive contingency planning for chokepoint waterways. One person died during the salvage operation, underscoring the human risks involved in these complex maritime emergencies.