In effect, the ship could leave the trade artery when it chooses, but bureaucracy has kept it in place.
Ever Given’s operators would need to discuss “several legal and procedural” paths with the SCA before it departs either back to its port in China or sets down in Rotterdam, its original destination.
The SCA now has two situations on its hands, clearing the backlog of vessels trying to pass through the area and concluding its investigation into the blockage.
The latter task may take some time yet, as the Ever Given’s captain must still hand over the ship’s black box.
source: express.co.uk