News

Boat blocking Florida highway sparks viral comparison to Suez Canal situation

A boat that fell onto a Florida interstate, briefly blocking traffic, is drawing a viral comparison to the Ever Given, the massive cargo ship that has been stuck in the Suez Canal and is blocking major shipping traffic.

The Orlando Sentinel first reported that Florida Highway Patrol worked late Thursday night to remove a boat that fell onto Interstate 10, briefly blocking traffic. 

The boat was quickly removed and did not cause any injuries, but the moment sparked jokes online about a boat uprising as the story of the Ever Given has drawn international attention and turned into the meme of the moment.

 

 

 

 

 
Shipping on the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest waterways, was halted on Tuesday when the Ever Given got stuck and blocked traffic. Tugboats and an excavator have been employed to help free the ship, but as of early Friday afternoon, the boat was still stuck. 
 
Experts warn the delays being caused by the blockage are serious and will likely have repercussions that extend weeks. It adds to the current shipping problems and a shipping container shortage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and one company has even warned the issue could lead to a toilet paper shortage
 
On Friday, the U.S. government said it had offered help with the situation in the Suez Canal.