Suez Canal Authority Allows Three Crew Members to Leave Ever Given

The Suez Canal Authority has granted permission for three crew members of the Ever Given to be relieved as to their contracts expire, the ship’s technical manager Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has confirmed.

BSM gave its latest update today on the status of the vessel and the 25 Indian nationals who remain on board. According to the update, all on board are “safe, in good health and good spirits,” with full internet access to communicate with their families. The vessel is also fully stocked with food, “including 20 days of fresh fruit and vegetables, and a resupply of fresh drinking water” that was completed on April 17. All crew wages have also been paid in full.

Day-to-day operations on board the Ever Given are continuing with the crew conducting routine fire and safety drills alongside on-going planned vessel maintenance.

At the time of the ship’s grounding, all crew members on board were within the terms of their contracts, BSM said. “However, delays in allowing the vessel to depart mean that three crew members are now due to be relieved,” and the Suez Canal Authority has granted requests to allow the overdue crew to depart the vessel, BSM said.

“Minimum safe manning standards for the vessel will be maintained at all times and crew members who depart the vessel are being relieved,” BSM said.

The Ever Given has been anchored in the Great Bitter Lake in the middle of the Suez Canal since the ship was refloated on March 29. It is now caught in a legal dispute as the Suez Canal Authority seeks $916 in compensation from the ship’s Japanese owner.

Earlier in April, the SCA allowed two crew members to depart the vessel for urgent personal reasons.

“Our utmost priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our crew. We are in regular contact with them and their families, offering all necessary support. While we are hoping that the vessel and her crew will be able to resume the voyage as soon as possible, we are incredibly proud of our master and crew who have and continue to perform their duties to the highest standards with exceptional professionalism under difficult circumstances,” says Ian Beveridge, CEO at BSM.

Earlier this month, representatives from the International Transport Workers Federation visited the vessel for a welfare check where they were able to speak with the crew and confirm everybody on board remains safe and in good health. The Mission for Seafarers were also able to make a visit aboard to provide emotional and spiritual support to those onboard.

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