Ever Given Vessel Runs Aground in Suez Canal
The Ever Given mega-ship operated by Evergreen Marine has been lodged firmly in the banks of the Suez Canal. It is reported that 46 miles per hour crosswinds were affecting the entrance to the Suez Canal. Reports also indicate a high speed of 13.7knots that the Ever Given was travelling at. This could have been to counteract the crosswinds that would have likely pushed the fully laden vessel sideways. It is not yet known how much damage there is to the vessel nor how long it will take to free the vessel.
John Glen, CIPS economist, said: “Almost all UK trade from Asia comes via the Suez Canal, and if goods have to be re-routed via Africa due to the blockage this could add as much as ten days to delivery times for UK businesses. If this does happen it will inevitably lead to shortages of goods and inflationary price rises for consumers. Supply chains are still recovering from the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit, and this issue will put even greater pressure on the UK’s global trade routes.
