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Ever Given: Cargo ship that blocked Suez Canal arrives in Felixstowe

7 Aug 2021

Ever Given: Cargo ship that blocked Suez Canal arrives in Felixstowe

A huge container ship that blocked the Suez Canal has docked in the UK for the first time since causing disruption to global shipping.

 

The Ever Given blocked the major shipping lane in Egypt for nearly a week earlier this year.

 

It was held for more than three months amid a dispute over compensation.

 

The 400m-long (1,300ft) ship, originally due to arrive in early April, finally docked at Felixstowe in Suffolk at about 16:30 on Tuesday.

Ship-spotters lined the beach as the Ever Given approached port.

 

The ship had been heading for Rotterdam when it ploughed into the sandy bank of a single-lane stretch of the canal on 23 March.

The ship has now arrived at Felixstowe - months later than expected but with its fame - or infamy - assured.

 

As it turned the corner for the home straight, noise levels from those waiting dropped noticeably to almost a hush, only to be broken by children shouting "It's here!".

 

The crowds remain, but have now reduced by about half. All eyes were on it as it manoeuvred into berth seven to complete its long journey.

 

A few voices could be heard saying it was a "little bit of an anti-climax," but all were pleased to have witnessed the end of the ship's epic struggle to get here.

 

Most people said it was worth the wait.

 

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It was stuck for nearly a week, causing one of the biggest traffic jams in shipping history.

 

Hundreds of ships were delayed as they waited for the canal to be unblocked and some vessels were forced to take the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

When the ship, which carries cargo between Asia and Europe, was finally freed it was held up again until an agreement between Japanese owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd, and canal authorities was reached over compensation.

 

The backlog from the ship's delay has led to a leap in shipping rates and sent the cost of containers soaring from £2,500 last year to £15,000 now.

Director of Seaport Freight Services, Steve Parks, said most of what is sold online and in UK comes from China.

 

Mr Parks, who is hoping to receive three consignments from the Ever Given by Friday, said the price rises were "bound to reflect upon prices in the shops".

 

"We are already looking at moving Christmas goods and have no option but to continue shipping," he added

Goods in the Ever Given's 18,000 containers have an estimated value of $775m, but many of them will hold fruit and vegetables which will have to be destroyed, having passed their use-by date.

 

Jake Slinn, owner of JS Global Cargo & Freight Disposal in Ipswich, said his business was expecting 20 to 30 containers from the ship.

 

He explained that most ships contained some goods that needed to be destroyed as they had gone out of date, or sold on if their original buyer no longer wanted them.

 

Foodstuffs are destroyed via anaerobic digestion, while the company will also deal with a host of items from TVs to clothing.

 

"We don't know what it is going to be until we crack the doors open," said Mr Flynn.

Wendy, who had travelled from Trimley to see the Ever Given arrive in Felixstowe, told BBC Radio Suffolk: "I've been following it from the Suez Canal, and I said to the grandchildren 'We will bring you down to see it when it hits Felixstowe'."

 

One ship-spotter said the arrival had been "a long time coming, but it's worth it," while another said: "It's just all the publicity it has had. To see it finally here is quite amazing."

 

The Ever Given's next destination is Hamburg, Germany.

BY BBC NEWS

3 August 2021

Comments (0)


Today
8:03am
Hi Jenna! I made a new design, and i wanted to show it to you.
8:03am
It's quite clean and it's inspired from Bulkit.
8:12am
Oh really??! I want to see that.
8:13am
FYI it was done in less than a day.
8:17am
Great to hear it. Just send me the PSD files so i can have a look at it.
8:18am
And if you have a prototype, you can also send me the link to it.

Monday
4:55pm
Hey Jenna, what's up?
4:56pm
Iam coming to LA tomorrow. Interested in having lunch?
5:21pm
Hey mate, it's been a while. Sure I would love to.
5:27pm
Ok. Let's say i pick you up at 12:30 at work, works?
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Yup, that works great.
5:44pm
And yeah, don't forget to bring some of my favourite cheese cake.
5:27pm
No worries

Today
2:01pm
Hello Jenna, did you read my proposal?
2:01pm
Didn't hear from you since i sent it.
2:02pm
Hello Milly, Iam really sorry, Iam so busy recently, but i had the time to read it.
2:04pm
And what did you think about it?
2:05pm
Actually it's quite good, there might be some small changes but overall it's great.
2:07pm
I think that i can give it to my boss at this stage.
2:09pm
Crossing fingers then

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