As you may already know, the Evergreen Marine Corporations operated container vessel EVER GIVEN ran aground in the Suez Canal around 8 am local time on March 23. The incident occurred as the container ship proceeded northbound through the waterway from the Red Sea. As a result the Suez Canal passage is currently blocked for any marine traffic in both directions. Thankfully, according to reports in the media, no injury, damage to either the vessel or cargo, or pollution has occurred.

Refloating attempts are being carried out by the owners of the vessel in coordination with Suez Canal Authorities and salvage operators have been appointed. However, many vessels are currently waiting for passage through Suez Canal.

This may have the consequence that certain vessels which had been planning to use the Suez Canal may chose instead to divert their routing to sail round the Cape of Good Hope rather than waiting in line, possibly adding up to 10 days to their transit time to/from Europe.

Further consequence may be that, to catch up on schedules, shipping lines may chose to omit UK ports and may instead discharge cargo European hubs, and subsequently move via feeder to the UK at a later date, causing further delays to ETA’s to the UK.

For your reference, we have received updates on the below vessels so far from lines. Others are yet to announce their delayed vessels:

SWL continue to monitor the situation and implications it may have on the cargo of our customers. We will update you, our customers, as we hear updates on revised ETA’s and diverting vessels if the delays stretch out.

We apologize for any inconveniences that arise due to this situation which is out of SWL´s control.