It has been confirmed that both Smit and Nippon Salvage have been appointed to help with the re-floating operation, with Smit experts expected to arrive at the scene later today sources suggest an assessment of the vessel’s situation will not take place until tomorrow morning.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]Furthermore, maritime sources suggest that the next high tide in the region will give the best chance of re-floating the vessel, but that will take place on Monday.
Efforts to free the stranded 20,000TEU container vessel Ever Given are continuing with tugs surrounding the vessel and in place to make an attempt to re-float the ship as of around 3pm local time on 25 March.
Lines are said to have been attached to the Ever Given and renewed attempts to pull the ship free are now under way.
However, a Smit spokesman told Bloomberg, “Pictures now seen across the globe of the vessel spread fully across the canal, point to the first major hurdle. It ran aground both at the front and at the back, almost perpendicular to the canal walls. That’s leaving very little room to simply tow it away from either end.”
It could also see further damage to the vessel as the tides in the canal rise and fall creating some stress in the midships, but more damage and to the rudder and bulbous bow sections of the ship. It will also see the vessel become harder to shift as it becomes stuck faster in the canal mud.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the ship had a failure of its rudder gear and with high wind speeds had been driven into the bank wedging the vessel across the canal and blocking traffic in both directions.
Media reports also suggest that a salvage team from Smit has been assembled to aid the operation to free the vessel and to allow the many ships at both the northern and southern ends of the canal to use the canal. Container News, has contacted Smit for confirmation.
With some fifty ships transiting the Suez Canal on average every day, mostly container vessels carrying finished goods, as well as oil and gas tankers and bulk carrier, the logjam of vessels is now estimated at around 150 ships and counting.
Container News will continue to provide updates on this story as and when events happen.
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