How long could a Suez Canal blockage last?

How long might it take to clear the ship blocking the Suez Canal?

Perhaps two or three days if dredging and refloating were enough, but as long as a week if crews had to remove cargo with heavy cranes.

The estimate, offered during the blockage, is conditional rather than a firm prediction. If crews could clear the bank and refloat or pivot the ship, partial movement might resume within two or three days. If the vessel had to be lightened, suitable cranes and cargo handling could extend the work to roughly a week. The older relief channel could accept some smaller traffic, but it could not simply absorb every Suezmax or Panamax vessel waiting to pass. The exchange shows why salvage time depends on hull position, bank material, cargo weight, equipment access, and the capacity of alternate routes.