Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority denies media reports on reasons of EVER GIVEN accident

CAIRO – 18 April 2021: The Egyptian Suez Canal Authority (SCA) denied media reports claiming that the investigations of the grounding of the Panama-flagged ship “EVER GIVEN” showed a technical error and another human error from the captain.

 

Egyptian newspaper Al Watan reported on Saturday that the accident of EVER GIVEN ship in the Suez Canal was due to “a technical malfunction of the ship" beside a human error caused by the captain of the ship.

 

In a statement SCA Spokesperson George Safwat affirmed that the authority denies such media remarks, adding that the investigations are still ongoing, in parallel with the negotiations with the shipowner and the insurance company to reach an agreement on the amount of compensation that will be given to the authority for the moral and financial casualties of the accident. 

 

On March 23, the Ever Given ship went aground in the 151 km of the Suez Canal, where the vessels in both directions pass, causing the suspension of the international maritime navigation through the canal for six days. 

 

After it was freed on March 29, the ship was escorted to the Bitter Lakes for technical inspection, crew interrogation, and black box analysis. 

 

Egypt has asked for 916 million in compensation for damages caused by the grounding of the ship, the salvage operation, and for loss of reputation.

 

Recently, an economic court in Ismailia governorate issued a decision to officially arrest the ship until paying the compensation. Egypt and the Japanese shipowner (Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd), the Chinese operator (Evergreen Line), and the insurance company (UK P&I Club) are in negotiations with the Egyptian Suez Canal Authority to reach an agreement acceptable by all parties.

 

Both the operator and the insurance club confirmed that the ship was arrested on April 13, 2021. The P&I aspects of the claim are relatively modest, with the exception of a claim for loss of reputation, which is disputed,” the UK P&I Club said in a statement on Tuesday.

 

The operator (Evergreen Line) issued a statement on Wednesday, saying that Egypt has asked for $ 916 million, including a “claim for salvage bonus and a US$ 300 million claim for loss of reputation and so on.”