The Ever Given, one of the biggest Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) in the world, ran aground in the Suez Canal March 23, 2021. The ship was successfully refloated on March 29 after an effort involving several tugs and dredging and towed to the Great Bitter Lakes, a wide area within the Suez Canal itself, and has remained there ever since, following its arrest by Egyptian authorities. Based on the thorough inspections, the vessel has been declared suitable for onward passage to Port Said where she would be assessed again before departing for Rotterdam. However, BSM were informed by the vessel’s owner that the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) began arrest procedures against the vessel and that it will remain anchored at the Great Bitter Lake until an agreement between the SCA and the vessel’s owner has been reached. There is still a good amount of uncertainty about what will happen with the 18,000 containers on board the vessel and the consequences of insurance matters for consignees, shippers and others involved in the supply chain. However, with the ship arrested, the prospect of cargo being released has diminished, as there is little practical option of unloading it at anchor in the Bitter Lake area and transhipping the boxes to another vessel.
Source: Datamar News