Ever Given - 2021
The Incident
On the 23rd March 2021 the Suez Canal was blocked following the grounding of the Ever Given a 400m long vessel.
The vessel was stuck for 6 days in the canal blocking it in both directions.
The consequences of which were a blockage of shipping movement and some subsequent redirections of other ships.
The vessel has now been impounded by the Egyptian Government after the owners refused to pay an alleged $916 million dollars in fees including $300 million for loss of reputation. This does not include any other claims or salvors fees.
The incident is initially thought to have been caused by a strong gust of wind and/or "bank effect" which is similar to "squat".
Previous History
What we do know is this is not the first time that the canal has been shut and also definitely not the first incident.
July 2018 - Alexander - Engine Failure and 5 ship collision
Feb 2018 Zaliv Amurskiy DWT Tanker - grounding steering malfunction.
October 2017 - Eastern Bund - DWT Bilk carrier -Grounding.
January 2017 - MSC Clorinda - DWT Container Ship - Grounding.
May 2016 - Sea Landsort - DWT Tanker - Grounding.
April 2016 - MSC Fabiola ran aground, another TEU containership, South Bound Traffic blocked for 2 days.
Feb 2016 - New Katerina - grounding for 12 days - canal remained open.
August 2015 - Minerva Faith - DWT Bulk carrier - Grounding.
April 2015 Susan Maersk Container Ship (Dense Fog), Margret Odendorff.
September 2014 - Colombo Express collision with Maersk Tanong.
Findings
None at present.
We can safely assume that the financial penalties and costs of investigation are going to be severe.
We have speculation as to the cause of the incident but because the vessel has been impounded access to the data from the VDR is not immediately likely.
BOQA
As either a Ship Owner, P and I Club, Insurer or Port/Canal Authoirty. Not only can BOQA provide evidence of correct operating procedures and practice it can also be used to see those incidents that did not actually cause a loss.
Those near miss incidents provide valuable insight and data to prevent future losses.
Because you have data from across your monitored vessels this can be combined to give the answers to the following questions. Is there a problem with Piloting, Dredging or Wind Gusts on the Suez Canal and where are they most likely to occur?
Being able to replay data immediately and potentially with more parameters than are collected from the VDR recording will give you an advantage in investigating, defending and mitigating any incidents.
Even Given image courtesy and copyright property of Pierre Markuse and used under Creative Commons Licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Pierre many thanks from us for their use.