Evergreen’s 11,850 TEU vessel Ever Forward remains aground in the Chesapeake Bay in the United States, after an accident on 13 March, with the US Coast Guard reporting that officials have not yet determined the reasons for the incident.
Shipowners and salvors have submitted a plan to refloat the vessel to the authorities, which involves releasing ballast to lighten the vessel and dredging the sea bottom around the vessel before attempting to refloat the vessel at high tide using the vessel’s main engine and tug assistance.
However, the agreement of the authorities to the salvage plan is required before the operation can be commenced.
“Other reports indicate that two dredgers are currently in the vicinity of the vessel. It appears that the dredging operation may therefore commence soon, although it is suggested that dredging may take up to a week to complete before attempts may be taken to safely refloat the vessel,” noted cargo claims specialist WK Webster in its latest update.
Although the 2020-built container ship remains stuck for the ninth day in the Chesapeake Bay, there are no reports of injuries, pollution, damages, or traffic disruption, while the weather forecast in the area is favourable.
WK Webster said, “the complexity, time and expense of the salvage operation makes the possibility of shipowners declaring General Average (GA) more likely.”
If GA is declared, General Average security will be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo and we are well placed to assist Cargo Insurers in that regard, according to WK Webster.
