Suez Canal obstructed by cargo ship since Tuesday.
In Friday’s press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the United States has offered assistance to Egyptian officials to help dislodge a huge cargo ship that is stuck in the Suez Canal.
“As part of our active diplomatic dialogue with Egypt, we’ve offered U.S. assistance to Egyptian authorities to help reopen the canal. We are consulting with our Egyptian partners about how we can best support those efforts. Those conversations are ongoing,” the press secretary said.
A 224,000-ton container ship became lodged sideways in the canal on Tuesday, and officials have been unable to free it, preventing any other traffic from flowing through the Suez Canal. The canal is a major waterway for global trade, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and providing the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe. Around 12 percent of global trade passes through the canal. The White House is concerned about the blockage’s potential impact on energy markets, and they are closely tracking the situation.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For U.S. and foreign officials seeking to free the container ship lodged in the Suez Canal.
- That the U.S. Commerce Department would have wisdom in dealing with possible shortages of goods due to the traffic jam at the waterway.
- For the U.S. Department of Energy to be discerning in responding to the potential impact on energy and fuel.
Sources: The Hill, NBC News
