Japan’s Shoei Kisen Kaisha has challenged the arrest of the containership involved in a high-profile grounding in the Suez Canal last month.
The shipowner has filed an appeal before the Ismailia court of first instance against the arrest of its 20,388-teu Ever Given (built 2018).
The vessel, along with its cargo, was arrested by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) after it filed a $916m insurance claim for physical, financial and reputational damage caused by the six-day grounding.
Shoei’s protection and indemnity insurer, the UK P&I Club, said that it had been in negotiation with the SCA over the claim but with no success in coming to an agreement so far.
The appeal was filed on Thursday, the deadline for appeals. A hearing is scheduled for 4 May.
UK P&I said it believes the arrest is not valid. Commenting on the reasons for the appeal, the insurer said not enough evidence had been presented to support the SCA insurance claim.
“The appeal against the arrest was made on several grounds, including the validity of the arrest obtained in respect of the cargo and the lack of supporting evidence for the SCA's very significant claim,” the insurer said.
The mutual said it will continue to negotiate with the SCA “in good faith” and is hoping for an “amicable resolution”.
Two of the crew of 25 on board the Ever Given have been allowed to go home and have now been replaced. UK P&I said that the crew had the full support of the ship’s owner and manager.
The club said the vessel is well provisioned, and the crew have internet access and can speak with their families. But it added the crew are concerned at the prospect of being unable to leave the vessel or continue their voyage.
UK P&I said: “The UK Club's priority remains the fair and swift resolution of the SCA's claim to enable the vessel to continue on her intended voyage and to allow the crew to leave Egypt.”
