A cargo ship emergency near the Mediterranean entrance to the Suez Canal was successfully resolved by authorities, demonstrating the critical role of the vital waterway in maintaining global trade stability.
In the early hours of January 14, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) successfully completed a maritime rescue operation, safely evacuating all crew members from the distressed cargo vessel FENER . The incident, which could have disrupted one of the world's most crucial shipping lanes, was contained without affecting the canal's two-way traffic.
Emergency Response Averts Disaster
The FENER , positioned in the waiting area west of Port Said about five miles from the northern entrance to the Suez Canal, had sent an urgent distress signal when the vessel developed a dangerous 10-degree starboard list. The ship's precarious condition raised concerns about potential capsizing, though its location outside the main canal channel prevented direct obstruction to maritime traffic.
SCA Chairman Osama Rabie detailed the rapid response: "Upon receiving the captain's report at 11:30 PM Tuesday, Port Said's harbor control office and the main navigation control center immediately mobilized two tugboats and deployed three Bahar-class rescue vessels." The primary mission was to safely evacuate all 12 crew members while stabilizing the situation.
Damaged Hull and Weather Complications
Investigations revealed that seawater had flooded one of the ship's cargo holds through a breach in the hull. Fearing imminent sinking, the captain maneuvered the vessel away from the southern waiting area toward shallower waters before rescue teams arrived, a decision that significantly aided subsequent operations.
The 122-meter-long FENER , with a 3.5-meter draft and 4,000-ton capacity, had departed Turkey en route to East Port Said to load salt. After encountering severe weather, the captain had requested to anchor at Port Said until conditions improved. Unfortunately, the adverse weather ultimately contributed to the emergency.
Normal Operations Maintained
Admiral Rabie emphasized that Suez Canal operations continued uninterrupted, noting the incident occurred outside the main shipping channel. All evacuated crew members were confirmed to be in good health, marking a successful conclusion to the potentially disastrous situation.
This efficient resolution underscores the SCA's operational readiness in safeguarding global shipping routes. As a critical artery handling approximately 12% of world trade, the Suez Canal's stability remains essential to international commerce, with this incident serving as a testament to the authority's crisis management capabilities.