The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has said it will increase the number and power of its tugboat fleet following the stranding of the 20,388TEU Ever Given at the end of March, which blocked the waterway for six days.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]Osama Rabie, chairman and managing director at the SCA has noted that the authority will develop its salvage capabilities following the critical incident with the Ever Given which saw billions of dollars’ worth of cargo backed up at the entrance to the canal, with the choice of waiting for salvage teams to remove the vessel or sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
AN SCA statement said the authority “aims to enhance its maritime salvage capabilities through a number of new large tugboats of high bollard pull capacity to keep abreast of developments in the fields of maritime salvage and shipbuilding worldwide.”
In addition, it was reported by the Associated Press that the SCA is seeking an out of court settlement to the costs of the Ever Given incident, with talks between the SCA and shipowner Shoei Kisen Kaisha, reportedly ongoing.
“We are discussing with them a peaceful resolution to the matter without resorting to the judiciary,” Rabie told the Associated Press on 6 April.
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