MSC Containership Hinders Traffic in Suez Canal

zoomIllustration; Image Courtesy: Dredging Suez Canal The 165,960 dwt containership MSC Clorinda is hindering traffic in the Suez Canal as the vessel stopped in the waterway due to undetermined issues, according to Wilhelmsen Ships Service. According to a spokesperson from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the containership reported a machinery transmission malfunction and subsequently grounded around 05:00 UTC on January 4. It was then cleared and afloat again by around 08:10 UTC. MSC Clorinda is now ready to resume passage and will be doing so imminently, once other vessel traffic has cleared, the spokesperson added. At the time of the incident, MSC Clorinda was transiting Northbound through the canal. Traffic in both Southbound and Northbound convoys is obstructed and the Southbound convoy which has already entered the canal will be required to drop anchor and wait at the Great Bitter Lake until the issue is resolved, WSS said. WSS added that Suez Canal Authority tugs are already alongside the vessel. According to AIS data provide by MarineTraffic, the 2012-built containership is still stopped off Egypts Al Saiyid Abu Hatab region.