Egypt seized the Ever Given, demanding the ship's owners pay nearly $1 billion for blocking the Suez Canal

Kelly McLaughlin,Madison Hall
Updated ·2 min read
Ever given

  • Officials in Egypt have seized the Ever Given as authorities in the country demand the ship's owners pay nearly $1 billion for blocking the Suez Canal for several days last month.

  • The owner of the Ever Given declared "General Average," so insurance could pay some of the damages along with the owners of cargo aboard the ship.

  • The 25 crew members aboard the Ever Given are still being paid and are "relaxed," according to the National Union of Seafarers of India.

  • See more stories on Insider's business page.

Officials in Egypt have seized the Ever Given as authorities in the country demand the ship's owners pay nearly $1 billion for blocking the Suez Canal for several days last month.

Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) seized the ship on Tuesday, according to Ahram Online.

Egyptian authorities have sued the Ever Given's owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., for $900 million, saying the ship caused damage to the canal and lost business.

Ryu Murakoshi, a spokesman for the company, told The Wall Street Journal that Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd. is in "negotiations on compensation."

Shoei Kisen Kaisha filed a general average claim in early April, splitting the $900 million demand between the boat's insurers and the owners of the cargo atop the ship.

General average is a principle of maritime law that requires any of the ship's customers to share the risk and costs involved if the ship faces a tragedy or failure.

Abdulgani Serang, the general secretary-cum-treasurer of the National Union of Seafarers in India, told Insider that the crew members are being treated well and continue to be paid.

But despite the recent news, Serang said that the crew members are not worried just yet.

"The crew members are relaxed because they know that they are employed with Bernard Schulte company and they are covered by the union agreements," Serang said. "Their professionalism has not been questioned and it is just a matter of time, anytime soon, for them to start sailing."

The Ever Given rose to international prominence after it became stuck three weeks ago and blocked international freight traffic for six days. The ship may be unstuck, but experts believe that the shipwreck could impact the global supply chain for months to come.

This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.

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