Hopes are fading for a swift resolution to the Ever Given Suez Canal situation. Today’s efforts to refloat the 400-metre ultra-large container ship proved unsuccessful and reports are now suggesting the normal flow of vessels through the canal is ‘days or weeks away’.

The Ever Given’s Japanese owners, Shoei Kisen Kaisha, have apologised for the incident while indicating that shifting the beached boxship was proving extremely difficult. For most of the day sand has been cleared away from the bow of the Evergreen-operated vessel while a small flotilla of tugs and the vessel’s own winches have attempted to dislodge the 200,000-tonne ship – so far in vain. Strong, gusting winds and a severe dust storm are being blamed for the Ever Given running aground diagonally across one of the world’s primary trading arteries.

With more than 200 vessels stuck North and South of the waterway, the daily costs of the blockage are thought to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars and the impact upon global trade likely to be profound. If the situation does extend past a few more days it’s likely that vessels heading to or from the Far East or the Indian Sub-Continent will be diverted around the southern tip of Africa to avoid the Suez congestion – adding a week or more to average transit times.

In an effort to offset the impact of this gloomy outlook, Uniserve is committed to using its close relationships with shipping line partners to ensure its customers have the best and latest information as contingency plans are formulated by the carriers. Users of our One World system will already have access to a clear view of cargoes currently affected by the Suez situation. Naturally, however, all customers can also check-in with their Customer Development Manager for updates on their specifically affected shipments.

Of course Uniserve is also able to provide customers with extensive airfreight and land-based intermodal options should they wish to explore other options in the wake of the Suez incident.

For more information please call us on 01375 414 331 or email info@ugroup.co.uk

Photo courtesy of the Suez Canal Authority

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