Syria forced to ration fuel as stricken ship keeps Suez Canal blocked

The paralyzing effect of the stricken Ever Given container ship on global traffic became clear on Sunday as nearby Syria, already scarred by years of war, imposed fuel rationing to safeguard dwindling oil supplies.

Suez Canal officials hoped that high tide and dredging efforts could see the giant ship freed on Saturday night, four days after it ran aground. But despite progress the previous night in freeing the rudder and propeller, the vessel remains wedged across the canal. Meanwhile, the backlog of ships awaiting transit through the vital Egyptian waterway has grown to 326, according to Leth Agencies, the canal's service provider.