Ever Given Updates from the Ship Manager – Ship Arrest ‘Extremely Disappointing’

The technical manager of the MV Ever Given, Germany-based Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), has been providing updates on the effort to refloat the ship from the southern end of the Suez Canal.

The vessel, one of the biggest Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) in the world, ran aground around 7 a.m. local time near kilometer-marker 151 on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. SMIT Salvage, part of Dutch dredging and marine services group Boskalis, was the appointed salvor.

The ship was successfully refloated on March 29 after an effort involving several tugs and dredging. The ship is now under tow to Great Bitter Lakes.

Below are the highlights from the latest updates from BSM (this will be continuously updated as new reports come in):

April 14 Update: ABS Clears Ever Given for Passage to Port Said, Ship Arrested

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) as the technical managers of the containership EVER GIVEN (IMO: 9811000), can confirm that extensive inspections from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) as the vessel’s classification society, which included underwater inspections have been concluded.

Based on these thorough inspections, the vessel has been declared suitable for onward passage to Port Said where she will be assessed again before departing for Rotterdam.

However, BSM has been informed by the vessel’s owner that the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) began arrest procedures against the vessel. Currently, the vessel remains anchored in Great Bitter Lake until an agreement between the SCA and the vessel’s owner has been reached.

“The SCA’s decision to arrest the vessel is extremely disappointing. From the outset, BSM and the crew on board have cooperated fully with all authorities, including the SCA and their respective investigations into the grounding. This included granting access to the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) and other materials and data requested by the SCA. BSM’s primary goal is a swift resolution to this matter that will allow the vessel and crew to depart the Suez Canal”, says Ian Beveridge, CEO of BSM.

The crew on board remain in good health and good spirits, fulfilling their duties to the highest of standards. BSM is in regular contact with the crew and has offered support to the seafarers’ families. The crew’s continued professionalism and resilience during this period is greatly appreciated.

March 29 Update: Ever Given Re-Floated

“Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) as the technical managers of the containership EVER GIVEN (IMO: 9811000), can confirm that the vessel was safely re-floated at approximately 1500 local time on 29 March, 2021.”

“BSM extends its deepest gratitude to all parties involved in the emergency response, including the Suez Canal Authority, SMIT Salvage and the crew on board, who worked tirelessly to free the vessel and to restore navigability in the Suez Canal, “

“EVER GIVEN will now to head to the Great Bitter Lake where she will undergo a full inspection.”

March 28 Update:

• “The ALP Guard, a specialist tug registered in the Netherlands, today arrived on scene to assist in the ongoing re-floating operations.”
• Dredging operations continued throughout the day, and further attempts to re-float the vessel will continue this evening once the tug is safely in position along with the 11 tugs already on site. (Note: Sunday evening’s refloating attempt has been postponed to Monday)
• “Additionally, soil experts have attended the site alongside officials from the SCA to advise on continuing recovery efforts. An additional dredger, the THSD Causeway registered in Cyprus, is also en-route to the scene to provide additional dredging capacity. The vessel is anticipated to arrive by 30 March, 2021.”

March 27 Update:

• “Further attempts to re-float the vessel began again at approximately 1400 local time after significant progress was made last night at the stern of the ship where the vessel’s rudder was released from sediment. 11 tugs have been working throughout the day alongside the ongoing dredging operations which continue to remove sand and mud from around the port side of the vessel’s bow.”
• “These re-floating efforts are scheduled to continue until approximately midnight local time.”
• “The two additional tugs that will be arriving by 28 March to assist in the re-floating of the ship are the ALP Guard registered in the Netherlands and the Carlo Magna, registered in Italy.“
• “There have been no reports of pollution or cargo damage and initial investigations rule out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding.”

Note: ALP Guard is a Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel with 285 metric ton bollard pull, a conventional measure of pulling power. Carlo Magna is rated at 155 bollard pull.

March 26 Update:

• “Another attempt to re-float the vessel earlier today, 26 March 2021, was not successful. Smit Salvage team on board confirm there will be two additional tugs of 220 – 240 T bollard pull arriving by 28 March 2021 to assist in the re-floating of the ship.”
• “The focus is now on dredging to remove sand and mud from around the port side of the vessel’s bow. A specialised suction dredger, which can shift 2,000 cubic meters of material every hour, arrived on site on 25 March 2021 to support the ongoing dredging operations.”
• “Arrangements are also being made for high-capacity pumps to reduce the water levels in the forward void space of the vessel and the bow thruster room.” Editor’s Note: We reached out to BSM and they have confirmed some water ingress i.e. flooding, limited to those spaces.
• No pollution or cargo damage reported at this time.

March 25 Update:

A team of expert salvors from Smit Salvage have been appointed and are now at the vessel, with salvage operations being coordinated by the Suez Canal Authority, according to BSM.

“The focus now is on dredging to remove sand and mud from around the port side of the vessel’s bow. In addition to the dredgers already on site a specialised suction dredger is now with the vessel and will shortly begin work. This dredger can shift 2,000 cubic meters of material every hour,” the company informs.

At the time of the incident, Ever Given was transiting northbound through the canal en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands with two canal pilots onboard.

BSM reports that Initial investigations still suggest the vessel grounded due to strong wind. So far, there have been no reports of pollution or cargo damage and initial investigations have ruled out any mechanical or engine failure as a cause of the grounding.

All 25 crew – all Indian nationals, are safe and accounted for and remain onboard.

“The crew are working closely with all parties involved to re-float the vessel. The hard work and tireless professionalism of the Master and crew is greatly appreciated,” BSM said.

“BSM’s continuing priorities are to safely re-float the vessel and for marine traffic in the Suez Canal to resume.

“BSM is grateful for the continued efforts of the Suez Canal Authority and those involved in ongoing re-floating operations and BSM will continue to work closely with all parties involved in this operation.

“Once re-floated, the vessel will undergo a full inspection and BSM will cooperate fully with the authorities in any investigations.”

The Japanese shipowner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha, has meanwhile apologized for the incident and said work towards freeing the ship “has been extremely difficult.”

Statement from the Insurer (UK Club for Protection and Indemnity):

“The UK Club has insured the owner of “Ever Given” for certain third party liabilities that might arise from an incident such as this – including, for example, damage caused to infrastructure or claims for obstruction. The vessel itself and its cargo will have been insured separately.  While the UK Club is unable to comment on any confidential insurance or potential claim details, all valid claims will be considered by the vessel owner, the UK Club and its legal advisors in due course. Currently, the UK Club’s focus is to work with all relevant parties to facilitate a safe conclusion to this incident.” Source

Watch: Captain Nick Sloane, The Salvage Master Who Raised The Costa Concordia, Discusses What It Will Take to Refloat The Ever Given – Interview

Ever Given AIS Replay

The below video using Ever Given’s automatic identification system (AIS) data shows the ship’s track before, during and after its grounding on March 23, 2021. Video produced by FleetMon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdLABU_0TBg