After this deep-draughted, Chinese-owned bulk carrier MAGSENGER I ( imo 9497206 ) suffered engine failure in the southern section of the Suez Canal, it took six tugs of the Suez Canal Authority 12 hours to tow her the eight nautical miles to Port Tewfik and unblock the canal. The tugs seemed to be having great difficulty in keeping the crippled bulker on a steady course.
The blockage of the canal came on top of a 12-hour delay already being caused by the final stages of work to enlarge the canal and end the “contraflow” convoy system.