37 Facts About Ever Given Blocks Suez Canal

The Ever Given: A Colossal Vessel

The Ever Given, a massive container ship, made headlines worldwide when it blocked the Suez Canal in March 2021. This incident had a ripple effect on global trade, causing delays and economic losses. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this colossal vessel and the event that captured the world's attention.

1. The Ever Given is one of the largest container ships in the world, measuring about 400 meters (1,312 feet) in length. That's longer than the Empire State Building is tall!

2. It has a width of 59 meters (194 feet), making it as wide as a football field.

3. The ship can carry up to 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which are standard-sized shipping containers.

4. It was built by the Japanese shipbuilding company Imabari Shipbuilding and was delivered to its owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha, in 2018.

The Suez Canal Blockage: A Global Disruption

The blockage of the Suez Canal by the Ever Given had significant implications for global trade. Here are some intriguing details about the event and its aftermath.

5. The Suez Canal is one of the world's most crucial waterways, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and facilitating about 12% of global trade.

6. On March 23, 2021, the Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking the passage for six days.

7. The blockage caused a massive traffic jam of over 400 ships, waiting to pass through the canal.

8. It is estimated that the blockage cost global trade approximately $9.6 billion per day.

9. The incident led to a significant increase in shipping costs and delays in the delivery of goods worldwide.

Efforts to Free the Ever Given

Freeing the Ever Given from the Suez Canal was a monumental task that required a coordinated effort from various teams and equipment.

10. Tugboats, dredgers, and excavators were used to try and dislodge the ship from the canal's banks.

11. Over 30,000 cubic meters of sand were removed to help free the vessel.

12. The operation involved around-the-clock work by hundreds of personnel.

13. On March 29, 2021, after six days of intense efforts, the Ever Given was finally refloated and freed from the canal.

Economic Impact of the Blockage

The blockage of the Suez Canal had far-reaching economic consequences, affecting various industries and markets.

14. Oil prices surged by about 6% during the blockage due to concerns about supply disruptions.

15. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains and the importance of the Suez Canal in international trade.

16. Some companies had to reroute their ships around the Cape of Good Hope, adding an additional 15 days to their journey.

17. The blockage caused delays in the delivery of goods ranging from electronics to clothing to food products.

Legal and Financial Repercussions

The Ever Given incident also led to legal and financial disputes, as various parties sought compensation for their losses.

18. The ship's owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha, faced claims from the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) for damages and losses incurred during the blockage.

19. The SCA initially demanded $916 million in compensation, which was later reduced to $550 million.

20. The Ever Given was detained in the Great Bitter Lake, a wide section of the Suez Canal, until a settlement was reached.

21. In July 2021, an agreement was finally reached, and the Ever Given was allowed to continue its journey.

The Crew and Their Experience

The crew of the Ever Given played a crucial role during the incident, ensuring the safety of the ship and its cargo.

22. The ship had a crew of 25 members, all of whom were Indian nationals.

23. Despite the challenging circumstances, the crew remained on board throughout the ordeal, maintaining the ship's systems and ensuring its stability.

24. The crew received support and supplies from the Suez Canal Authority and other organizations during the blockage.

The Aftermath and Lessons Learned

The Ever Given incident prompted discussions about the future of global shipping and the measures needed to prevent similar events.

25. The Suez Canal Authority announced plans to widen and deepen parts of the canal to accommodate larger ships and reduce the risk of future blockages.

26. Shipping companies began reevaluating their routes and contingency plans to mitigate the impact of such incidents.

27. The incident underscored the importance of having robust insurance coverage for shipping companies to protect against unforeseen events.

28. It also highlighted the need for improved communication and coordination between shipping companies, canal authorities, and other stakeholders.

Interesting Tidbits and Trivia

Here are some lesser-known facts and trivia about the Ever Given and the Suez Canal blockage.

29. The Ever Given is operated by the Taiwanese shipping company Evergreen Marine Corp, which is why it bears the name "Evergreen" on its hull.

30. The ship's call sign is H3RC, and its IMO number is 9811000.

31. The Ever Given's journey from China to Rotterdam was part of a regular shipping route that it had completed multiple times before the incident.

32. The ship's grounding was attributed to strong winds and human error, although the exact cause remains a topic of investigation.

33. The Ever Given became a viral sensation on social media, with countless memes and jokes about the incident circulating online.

34. The ship's blockage inspired a popular online game called "Ever Given Ever Ywhere," where players try to navigate a ship through various obstacles.

35. The Suez Canal has a long history, dating back to its opening in 1869, and has been a critical artery for global trade ever since.

36. The canal has been expanded and modernized several times to accommodate larger ships and increased traffic.

37. Despite the Ever Given incident, the Suez Canal remains one of the most important and heavily trafficked waterways in the world.

The Ever Given's Impact

The Ever Given blocking the Suez Canal was a massive event that highlighted the fragility of global trade routes. This incident caused a significant disruption, affecting billions of dollars in goods and delaying shipments worldwide. The blockage lasted for six days, creating a traffic jam of over 400 ships.

This event also brought attention to the importance of the Suez Canal, which handles about 12% of global trade. It showed how a single mishap could ripple through economies, affecting everything from oil prices to consumer goods. The Ever Given's grounding was a wake-up call for the shipping industry, emphasizing the need for better navigation systems and contingency plans.

In the end, the Ever Given's saga was a stark reminder of how interconnected our world is and how a single event can have far-reaching consequences.