A stranded ship has choked traffic in both directions along the Suez Canal and created the world's largest shipping jam.
Traffic in the canal in Egypt, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, has come to a standstill after a 400 metre long container ship ran aground last week.
The Suez Canal Authority is now considering discounts for vessels affected by the blockage, reports Reuters.
The Ever Given vessel, carrying 18 300 containers, got stuck diagonally across the single-lane stretch of the southern canal on Tuesday morning after losing the ability to steer amid high winds and a dust storm.
SCA chairman Osama Rabie also told Al Arabiya TV that the canal was losing $13-14 million (R195-210 billion) in revenue daily and that 369 vessels were waiting to transit the canal.
Efforts to dislodge the 200 000 ton ship have only moved its stern and rudder and it remains unclear when the vessel will be refloated, Rabie said.
About 15% of world shipping traffic transits the canal.
The blockage has disrupted global supply chains, threatening costly delays for companies already dealing with Covid-19 restrictions.
Those waiting to cross included dozens of container ships, bulk carriers and liquefied natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas vessels, according to a shipping source.
If the blockage drags on, shippers may decide to reroute their cargoes around the Cape of Good Hope, adding about two weeks to journeys and extra fuel costs of $300 000 (R4,5m). Rabie said the ships that are waiting were free to reroute, but none had yet done so.