Egyptian authorities have seized the cargo ship Ever given that was stranded in the Suez Canal for several days last month and ordered the shipowner to pay $ 900 million in compensation.
CNN reports that Egyptian authorities have ordered the owner of the company Ever Never, the Japanese charter company Shoei Kisen Kaisha, to pay the heavy bill for the losses caused by the traffic stop caused by the ship. The bill also includes maintenance costs and rescue operation costs, according to Egyptian state agency Al Ahram.
Shoei Kisen Kaisha responded by saying that insurance companies and lawyers were processing claims about compensation and refused to comment further, CNN reports.
The Ever Give successfully resurfaced on March 29 after nearly a week of being trapped. The boat had prevented more than 450 boats from passing through the canal. The Suez Canal reopened completely on April 3rd.
Shortly after the ship was released, the head of the Suez Canal Authority, Lt. Gen. Ossama Rabei, said Egypt could ask for up to $ 1 billion in compensation to cover lost traffic rates, as well as the cost of the tugs used to house the ship.
“This is the law of the land,” Rabei said at the time. “It should be due.”
CNN reports that UK Club, one of the ship’s insurers, questioned the basis of Egypt’s claim.
“Despite the magnitude of the claim which was not well supported, the owners and their insurers have been negotiating in good faith with the SCA. On April 12 a generous and considered offer was made to the SCA to resolve their claim, ”UK Club said in response to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) claim.
Ever Done technical manager Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said the ship had been destined to sail to Port Said in the Mediterranean Sea before being stopped according to CNN.
“The SCA’s decision to arrest the ship is extremely disappointing,” Ian Beveridge, CEO of BSM, told CNN. “From the outset, BSM and the crew on board have fully cooperated with all authorities, including the SCA and their respective grounding investigations … BSM’s main goal is a speedy resolution to this matter allowing the departure of the ship and crew the Suez Canal “.