A freight ship over 1300 feet long and almost 200 feet wide became wedged in the Suez Canal, a man-made waterway in Egypt.

On Tuesday a freight ship, called The Ever Given, was heading from China to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and was going northwards through the waterway when it got stuck.

The ship’s bow was stuck on the eastern side of the waterway, while its stern was all the way against the west side.

The ship plugged the path of other ships which built up on either side waiting.

The owner of the ship said that they think "the ship was hit by a strong wind, making the bow go askew and run aground".

If the ship cannot be pulled free while the tide is high, the freight will have to be taken off to lighten the load.

Workers on the ground have been taking sand from where the ship is wedged into the side of the waterway, while tug boats have been working to get the ship afloat again. Wickners say it could take a few days.

Fears that the backup could slow down shippings made the worth of oil rise by 4% worldwide.