- Egypt said it may seek around $1 billion in compensation after the giant container vessel blocked the Suez Canal for almost a week and roiled shipping markets.
- The $1bn figure would compensate for losses associated with transit fees, damage to the waterway during the dredging and salvage efforts, and the cost of equipment and labour.
Egypt could be lining up a $1bn claim in damages after the 20,388 teu Ever Given giant container vessel caused a headline grabbing traffic jam in the Suez Canal for almost a week, reports Splash247.
Compensation for losses
The figure is a rough estimate of losses linked to transit fees, damage to the waterway during the dredging and salvage efforts, and the cost of equipment and labor, the Suez Canal Authority’s chief executive officer, Osama Rabie, said late Wednesday.
He did not specify who the Canal Authority would seek compensation from. “This is the right of the country,” Rabie said, adding that the incident hurt Egypt’s reputation. “This country should get its due.”
Read Also: LNG Spot Shipping Market To Stay Strong Amid the Suez Canal Incident
Suez Canal congestion
The 400-meter-long Ever Given ship, owned by Japan’s Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., ran aground on March 23 in the southern part of the canal and was freed six days later.
Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine Corp., the vessel’s charterer, said Thursday it’s not responsible for delays of any cargo it was transporting. “There is almost no chance that we will be sought to pay compensation,” Evergreen Marine President Eric Hsieh said at a briefing in Taipei.
Shoei Kisen will discuss compensation with the Canal Authority, but will refrain from giving details for now, according to a spokesperson.
Read Also: Enquiry Launched for Suez Canal Incident
Backlog to be cleared soon!
The ship and its cargo are currently in the Great Bitter Lake, roughly halfway along the canal. While they could be held in Egypt if the matter of compensation goes to court, such a scenario is unlikely, Rabie said.
It may take until Friday night or Saturday to clear the backlog of hundreds of ships that built up while the canal was shut, Rabie said in a separate interview with Egyptian television.
Evergreen’s agent in Egypt, Mohamed Bahaa, said he doubted there would be any financial dispute between his company and the Canal Authority. “In 40 years, not a single case of dispute has happened between SCA and Evergreen,” he said in an interview. “We all respect all the rules of the SCA.”
Read Also: Owner of Ship Stuck in Suez Canal Says Received No Compensation Claims
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Source: Splash247
