Suez Canal: Evergreen Blocked from Offloading Containership’s Cargo
In efforts by Evergreen, the operator of Ever Given, to have the containership’s cargo separated from the vessel in any legal action have failed. The 20,000TEU Ever Given was arrested by Egyptian authorities, pending settlement of the Suez Canal Authority’s almost $1bn claim for compensation, after the grounding of the vessel shut down the key waterway for six days last month. In a statement released on Friday, the Taiwan-based line said it was investigating the possibility of the vessel and its cargo being treated separately, so that it could remove cargo to other vessels, allowing it to continue to its destination. But according to a spokesman for Evergreen, the Egyptian courts have since clarified that both the vessel and its cargo are under arrest and the company’s request has been denied.
Evergreen confirms Ever Given arrested pending $916m claim including $300m for loss of reputation
Taiwanese liner Evergreen confirmed on Wednesday that the 20,388 teu Ever Given has been arrested by a court in Egypt this week. The giant, near full ship is in the Great Bitter Lake with a crew of 25 onboard, weeks after it ran aground, blocking the Suez Canal. The ship is operated by Evergreen and owned by Japan’s Shoei Kisen Kaisha. According to the vessel’s insurer, the UK P&I Club, Shoei Kisen has been hit with a $916m claim from the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).
Ripples from Ever Given crisis reach India, with SMEs being hit hardest
As the fallout from Ever Given cascades through container supply chains, it’s getting more difficult for Indian forwarders to secure shipping capacity. According to Rakesh Pandit, CEO of Conbox Logistics: “Not only are European shipments running late, but we’re seeing a lot of cancelled bookings placed in March from countries such as Italy, Turkey and Spain – we have a backlog of 300 teu from Europe to India in just the last 10-days.”