Why a Temporary Bypass Around the Ever Given Blockage Would Be Infeasible

Introduction

The massive container ship Ever Given blocked the Suez Canal, prompting questions about the feasibility of a temporary bypass. Many believe dredging the ship free would be more cost-effective and quicker. However, in this article, we explore why constructing a bypass would be significantly more complex and time-consuming.

Common Sense and Civil Engineering Principles

From a common sense perspective, no one would suggest building a new bypass to solve traffic problems on the M6, a major road between Scotland and Birmingham. The process of building a new bypass involves much more than simply resurfacing the road. It requires detailed planning, construction, and testing. Given the same logic, building a temporary canal around the stuck Ever Given would be even more complex and time-consuming.

Challenges in Constructing a Temporary Bypass

Firstly, the construction of a bypass canal would be extremely complex. The canal must be wide enough to accommodate 1300 feet long and safely navigable vessels. If the required space exists, it still involves digging, flooding, installing signal controls, and conducting test runs. All of these steps could take a considerable amount of time, potentially more than several months.

Time Considerations

The M6 serves as a prime example. When the road is closed for days due to fuel spills, the impact is significant. However, no one would suggest building a temporary bypass to solve the issue. The time required to construct a bypass would be longer than the time needed to fix the problem. Similarly, given the width and length of the Ever Given, a temporary bypass would likely take more time than it would take to free the ship.

Conclusion

While the idea of a temporary bypass sounds appealing, it is unrealistic in practice. Civil engineering principles and basic logistics show that constructing a temporary canal around the Ever Given would be a much more complex and time-consuming solution. It is far more efficient and cost-effective to use existing dredging methods to free the ship quickly.