Le propriétaire japonais du porte-conteneurs qui avait bloqué le canal de Suez a confirmé, mercredi 14 avril, être en négociations avec les autorités égyptiennes, qui lui réclament $ 900 millions pour laisser partir le bateau qui a été saisi.
The Ever-Given, with a capacity of 200,000 tonnes, ran aground on March 23, blocking traffic on the canal, which concentrates more than 10% of world trade, before being refloated on March 29 with help from international experts. On Monday, the Egyptian government daily Al-Ahram revealed that Egypt is claiming 900 million dollars in damages (about 750 million euros). The fate of the boat is now being played out “on the legal ground”, said the owner’s spokesperson, Shoei Kisen, on Wednesday.
Selon l'Autorité du canal de Suez (SCA), l'Égypte a perdu entre $ 12 millions et $ 15 millions par jour de la fermeture du canal, utilisé par 19000 navires en 2020, soit une moyenne de 51,5 navires par jour. L'une de ses principales sources de revenus, le passage a rapporté environ $ 5,7 milliards au Caire en 2019-2020.
Compenser les pertes générées
On Monday evening, the head of the SCA had reported on public television of “negotiations” to obtain compensation for the damage suffered. Egypt made “no mistakes” in this incident, he said, placing sole responsibility on the ship. “Negotiations are continuing, there are still a lot of [sticking points] with business and insurance,” starting with the “sum”, Admiral Osama Rabie said.
“The Panamanian [flagged] vessel Ever-Given was seized due to the non-payment of the sum of 900 million dollars (…) by virtue of a judgment rendered by the economic court of Ismailia”, t -he says. The amount corresponds, according to the same source, to “losses caused by the boat to the SCA, in addition to its refloating and maintenance operations”.
Plus de 400 navires s'étaient échoués au nord et au sud de l'isthme pendant six jours, créant des embouteillages massifs qui ont mis plusieurs jours à se dégager.