Logistical Nightmare!
The Ever Given grounding will have a big impact not just on the physical shipping and ports business, but on the whole maritime white-collar services sector as well, according to sources in marine insurance and ship finance.
Like everyone else, professionals in these areas are still watching how developments roll out in real time. But the likely payout is already being assessed as likely to hit nine-figure dollars.
Hull and machinery and cargo claims could be mercifully limited. The ship itself, as far as is known, is not badly damaged, and again as far as is known, the cargo is largely unscathed.
The big-ticket exposure will be for liability, especially if the Suez Canal Authority decides to impose penalties on operator Evergreen or decides to seek compensation for its loss of revenue.