'No time frame to rescue stranded ship in Suez Canal'

According to an international media outlet, Suez Canal Authority head, Lt. Gen. Osama Rabi, said on Saturday that the ship had broken the bank of the canal and could only be removed with the help of heavy digging machines.

The MV Ever, which is more than four football fields in size, has been anchored in the Suez Canal since Tuesday, closing the world's most important waterway.

During a press conference in the Egyptian city of Suez, the head of the Canal Authority said that the high winds were not the only reason for the ship to stop, but may have been due to technical or human error.

He added that the excavation would allow the ship to be removed and the cargo on top of it would not have to be removed however more than 300 ships are waiting on both sides of the canal.

Osama Rabbi said the excavation process was important to get the stranded ship out.

Two operations were being carried out to restore access to the Suez Canal, he told media.

About bringing the ship back into deep water, he said that if the waves were favourable, it could be removed today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday).

According to the head of the authority, the results of the first day's work were "not good" and the ship "could not be shaken due to its large size".

According to him, only 12 ships were waiting to cross the canal on the day of the incident and an alternative plan was drawn up to stop them at various places.

The head of the authority added that an investigation into the shipwreck would be launched once the vessel was evacuated.

The Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest waterways, continued to remain blocked as a giant container ship is stuck sideways in it hindering global shipping and trade for the sixth day on Sunday.

The 400 metres (430 yards) long Ever Given, which is wedged diagonally across a southern section of the canal, moved slightly as efforts underway to dislodge it allowed it's stern and rudder to move, the head of the canal authority told.