A general cargo ship has been saved from sinking in the Suez Canal, the waterway’s authority says.
Video footage released by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) showed the 3,000-dwt Tanzania-flag Labatros listing heavily to starboard near Port Said, northern Egypt on Tuesday.
The SCA said its rescue teams headed to the vessel and prevented a “complete sinking”.
The crew of 12 was reported to be safe and well.
Work is underway to inspect the condition of the 97-metre ship.
The Labatros had issued a distress call immediately after entering the waiting area at the northern end of the canal before it joined a convoy heading south.
The captain reported a list and said the vessel was in danger of sinking.
Egypt Today said the salvage operation was carried out by two tugs and a rescue vessel.
No pollution has been reported, and the cause of the problem has not yet been established.
Heading for the Red Sea
AIS data shows the Labatros was en route to Egypt’s Adabiya port in the Red Sea.
It was at anchor off Port Said on Wednesday.
The ship has the Maritime Mobile Service Identity number 77021900, but its year of build is unknown.
SCA’s technical team has been on high alert in recent months due to attacks by Yemen-based Houthi militia on vessels in the Red Sea.
Many ships, particularly container vessels and gas carriers, have been avoiding the waterway completely.
Revenue at the canal is down by half so far in 2024, the Ahram website reported.
