Ever Given, a large container ship that ran aground in the Suez Canal on March 23, still remains stuck, forcing many other ships and vessels to change their course. This is however, quite a daunting task in itself, as the only other option is around Africa, that adds over 6,000 miles to the journey!

Moreover, the Suez Canal is one of the most important sea passages in the world with goods worth billions of dollars being moved through it every day. Ever since it got blocked, there are fears of its impact on prices of essential commodities that are transported through it every day, especially fuel. A long delay is likely to impact the oil market, as well as shipping and container rates.  

The vessel is owned by Shoei Kisen Kaisha, that is a ship owning and leasing subsidiary of the large Japanese shipbuilding company Imabari Shipbuilding. Ever Given is time chartered and operated by container transportation and shipping company Evergreen Marine, headquartered in Luzhu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan. It is registered in Panama and its technical management is the responsibility of the German ship management company Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM).

Ever Given was on its way from Malaysia to the Netherlands when it got stuck diagonally in the Suez Canal. At present, efforts are on full swing to dislodge the vessel but many other vessels have already changed course as it is not clear when or if Ever Given can be moved and the Suez Canal unblocked.

The fears are compounded by the sheer size of the vessel that is said to be one of the longest in the world, with an overall length of 399.44 meters or 1,312 feet and 2 inches. An estimated 20,000 cubic meters or over 700,000 cubic feet of sand needs to be removed in order to free the ship. Although dredging operations are ongoing, the Ever Given has refused to budge so far.

*Feature Image by Kees Torn via Wikimedia Commons.