“Biggest danger”: what is the main fear of those trying to save the ship blocking the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA, Egyptian), with the help of two large companies specializing in ship rescue, is relentlessly trying to de-stress the Ever Given, the 400-meter-long and over 220,000 vessel tons, which was nailed to the Egyptian chain’s bank on Tuesday morning. The challenge is to dredge between 15,000 and 20,000 cubic meters of sand to allow it to float and resume its course.

SCA President Osama Rabie said that a depth of between 12 and 16 meters must be reached, which allows the vessel to float, according to a statement released by the agency via its website. Work in the region is continuing in cooperation with the Dutch company Smit Salvage and the Japanese company Nippon Salvage.

Rabie stressed that the work “is carried out to the highest maritime safety standards” and “taking into account various factors, including the nature of the terrain, the presence of clay and the safety distance between the cargo ship and the dredge ”.

Monumental work can take days or even weeks, but it must be done with extreme caution. Naval expert Fernando Morales explained to Infobae What the boat faces a serious risk: rupture.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is the United Nations’ highest authority for the regulation of maritime transport, declared the Ever Given cargo to be in “Danger A (major)”. This is indicated on the specialized site Marine Traffic, which follows in real time all naval movements in the world.

The boat faces a serious risk: breaking down

The problem is that the bow, which is the bow of the boat, is the one that is beached, but the stern is afloat. Since most of the weight is in the stern, the threat is that the boat will start to bend, until it breaks. Dredging companies should be careful when removing sand from the bottom, to avoid too much pressure on the stern.

On another side, it is also a risk that the ship will spend too much time stranded, since the bottom of the boat is not flat, but has a keel. It is built to support 220,000 tonnes afloat, but not in the field.

The Ever Given was built to support 220,000 tons afloat, but not on land

As Morales explained, what experts working in the rescue need to do is dredge the bottom enough to form a water bed under Ever Given, allowing it to float and unlock. Because the consequences of leaving would be catastrophic. Not only because of the economic impact of the loss of cargo of around 20,000 containers, but because it could release fuel and cause an environmental disaster.

At least eight boats and four excavators are helping to remove sand in the area. to try to take off the ship. One of the alternatives to reduce the risk of splitting is to unload the containers to reduce the weight, but this would take several days.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, caused serious traffic jams, with dozens of ships stranded at both ends and in the waiting area in the middle of the canal. It also resulted in long delays in deliveries of petroleum and other commercial products.

“Evergreen Line will continue to coordinate with the shipowner and the Suez Canal Authority to deal with the situation urgently, ensuring the resumption of the voyage as soon as possible and mitigating the effects of the incident.Said Evergreen Marine Corp, the company that chartered the Ever Given container ship.

The Japanese company that owns the ship has issued a written apology. “We are determined to continue to make efforts to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.“Said Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd.” We apologize to all parties involved in the incident, including vessels navigating or planning to navigate the Suez Canal. “

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