The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has given the go-ahead to switch out three crew members from the Ever Given.
Technical manager Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement said that when the 20,388-teu, 2018-built ship ran aground on 23 March, all crew members were within the terms of their contracts, but three are now due to be relieved and will be allowed to do so.
The manager said the 25 Indian nationals running the ship were "safe, in good health and [in] good spirits".
“Our utmost priority remains the safety and well-being of our crew. We are in regular contact with them and their families, offering all necessary support," said Bernhard Schulte chief executive Ian Beveridge.
"While we are hoping that the vessel and her crew will be able to resume the voyage as soon as possible, we are incredibly proud of our master and crew who have and continue to perform their duties to the highest standards with exceptional professionalism under difficult circumstances.”
The manager also said on-board operations continue, with the crew performing safety drills and maintenance. They have internet access and necessities.
$916m claim
The Ever Given's owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha, is facing a $916m claim from the SCA for the six-day canal closure, which caused global trade to slow to a crawl as hundreds of ships were left waiting to transit.
The Ever Given's insurer, the UK P&I Club, has said the claims are "largely unsupported", with the authority looking to recover hundreds of millions in a salvage bonus and for loss of reputation.
The SCA has said the crew will have to remain on board the ship until a settlement is reached after it obtained a court order to hold the ship. Shoei Kisen has appealed the decision.
On 18 April, representatives from the International Transport Workers' Federation visited crew members, with National Union of Seafarers of India secretary general Abdulgani Serang relaying that there have been no problems with wages, food or other provisions.
“The crew are keen to resume sailing soon,” Serang said.
Bernhard Schulte said the Mission to Seafarers also visited the ship "to provide emotional and spiritual support to those on board".
