As the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and insurers the UK P&I Club continue to trade blows over the Ever Given claims dispute, some headway appears to have been made.
During a press conference at the end of May, the SCA said it was reassessing its claim in light of the valuations of the ship and cargo which had been provided by the Ever Given interests - a move the UK P&I Club has welcomed.
“We are committed to the fair resolution of this matter and we look forward to reaching a resolution as soon as is practicable,” a spokesman said.
The insurer has however taken issue with claims by the SCA that the vessel was sailing too fast.
“We are concerned by the allegations made by the SCA during the press conference and in the media against the ship and the Master of Ever Given.
“Critically it is important to clarify that whilst the master is ultimately responsible for the vessel, navigation in the Canal transit within a convoy is controlled by the Suez Canal pilots and SCA vessel traffic management services. Such controls include the speed of the transit and the availability of escort tugs.
“The owners of the Ever Given and their P&I and hull and machinery insurers look forward to responding to these allegations within the Egyptian court proceedings.”
The UK Club is continuing to work with the Ever Given's owners and their other insurers to reach a fair and amicable resolution.
It’s more than two months since the vessel was dislodged after being jammed in the southern channel of the Suez Canal for a week, blocking traffic and disrupting world trade.
The SCA initially demanded compensation in the amount of $916 000, which has now been reduced to $550 000, but even the offer of a $200m deposit to get the ship moving again has been rejected.
The impasse continues.
