Ever Given ship finally leaves Suez Canal 106 days after getting stuck in vital passage – World News
The Ever Given ship has begun its exit from the Suez Canal three months after becoming stuck and disrupting global trade.
On Wednesday morning, witnesses saw the container ship beginning to move north in the Great Bitter Lake, which separates two sections of the canal.
Canal sources said the Ever Given would be escorted by two tug boats and guided by two experienced pilots as it makes its way through the canal – one of the world’s busiest waterways – towards the Mediterranean.
A ceremony was held at the canal to mark the departure of the vessel, which is loaded with about 18,300 containers, 106 days after it became stuck.
(Image: Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Tech)
The Ever Given had become grounded in the southernmost, single-lane stretch of the canal amid high winds on March 23.
It was then held by the Suez Canal Authority under court order while the authority sought compensation from the ship’s Japanese owner Shoei Kisen and its insurers.
The SCA demanded more than $900 million (£650m) for the salvage operation and other losses – but the sum was later lowered to $550 million (£400m).
(Image: KHALED ELFIQI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The Ever Given’s owners and insurers had disputed its detention and the compensation claim.
After negotiations, an undisclosed settlement between the parties was reached and the SCA announced that the ship would be released.
About 15 per cent of world shipping traffic transits the Suez Canal, which is the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia.
It is an important source of foreign currency revenue for Egypt.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
When the vessel became stuck, experts warned of price hikes in UK shops after the blockage sent world trade into a tailspin.
Shoppers were warned they could struggle to get hold of products ranging from screws to garden furniture.
Experts said the “phenomenal impact” of the stuck Ever Given will be felt for “months”.
Shipping expert Lars Jensen said there is “no hiding from the ripple effect” of the blockage, which caused traffic jams of over 321 ships in the Red Sea and $9billion (£650m) a day in losses.
Shipping expert Lars Jensen said: “Normally Europe receives around 50,000 containers a day as ports can largely handle that flow. Suddenly there will be a huge chunk of cargo at once, resulting in ports congesting.
“Ports won’t be able to handle this. Once you get all the cargo off the ships transporting them on trucks and rail is going to be a problem.
“The longer it takes to clear the blockage, the worse this gets.”
