Egypt calls for $ 900 million

For almost a week in March, the agglomerated giant freighter “Ever Given” blocked the Suez Canal. Now Egypt is demanding almost a billion dollars in damages – and has confiscated the ship for the time being.

Egypt is demanding compensation of $ 900 million for the days-long blockade of the Suez Canal by the container ship “Ever Given” – and has confiscated the ship as security. That said the chief of the canal authority, Ossama Rabie, the newspaper “Al-Ahram”. The “Ever Given” had blocked the important trade route from March 23rd to 29th. The ship was initially caught in a sandstorm and ran aground. Then the 400-meter-long colossus was stuck across the narrow canal. In front of and behind it, more than 400 ships were stowed.

Up to $ 15 million in damage a day

In the six days that it took to get the “Ever Given” released, Egypt missed high income from the canal fees – according to the authorities, between 12 and 15 million dollars per day. In addition, according to Rabie, there were additional maintenance costs and costs for work to tow the ship free. According to Allianz insurance, the accident caused costs of six to ten billion dollars worldwide. The “Ever Given” belongs to the Japanese company Shoei Kisen Kaisha and sails under the Panamanian flag. The chief of the canal authority said the ship would remain confiscated until the requested amount was received.