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Ever Given Container Ship That Blocked Suez Canal Returns For Second Attempt

The massive container ship that blocked the Suez Canal back in March is set to attempt a second crossing after compensation to the tune of USD 540 million was reportedly agreed.

The MV Ever Given vessel, registered in Panama and measuring 400 metres (1,312 feet), brought a significant part of global trade to a standstill when it ran aground in the canal on 23rd March for six days.

And now the vessel has returned to the Port Said entrance to the canal, according to newspaper The National, citing data from Vessel Finder, an online service that tracks the whereabouts of vessels around the world.

Ever Given’s ship returns to Egypt’s Suez Canal for the first time since the blocking in March 2021. (Suez Canal Authority/Newsflash)

However, on this occasion, the shipping vessel will attempt to cross the Suez Canal in the opposite direction from where it was going earlier this year.

The incident in March caused significant losses to the Suez Canal and international trade, with the vessel’s owners agreeing to pay USD 540 million (GBP 400 million) in compensation, according to The National.

The Ever Given is owned by Shoei Kisen Kaisha, a Japanese shipping company. It was impounded until a settlement could be reached, the final sum of which has not been revealed by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) or by the Japanese shipping company.

Ever Given’s ship returns to Egypt’s Suez Canal for the first time since the blocking in March 2021. (Suez Canal Authority/Newsflash)

The vessel then headed to Rotterdam where it stayed until 2nd August. It recently began his journey back to the canal and is now reportedly located at the Port Said entrance to the shipping way.

The SCA is embarking on a large-scale plan to upgrade the canal, with the aim of adding mooring stations and more sophisticated equipment that can help large vessels better navigate the canal.

They also announced that they are planning to dredge a second lane in the canal, which still features many segments that are single lane only. Having a second lane should make it easier to manage the situation should another vessel run aground.

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