The Egyptian authorities have forbidden the Ever Given, a container ship that has recently blocked the waterway, to leave the Suez Canal until compensation is paid for the chaos the ship had caused. According to the ruling of the Ismailia Economic Court in Egypt, the vessel should be seized until its owners pay $900 million in compensation. This amount would cover the expenses for freeing the ship that had run aground and would also compensate for financial losses from blocking the canal. “We hope for a speedy agreement,” Suez Canal Authority chief Osama Rabie said about the court’s decision. The official explained that $1 billion would cover the expenses for clearing the way as well as the damage to the canal itself that suffered from dredging. This amount would also be used to pay 800 people who worked to release the ship and cover the costs for the equipment. The vessel with 25 crew members has been moved to the Great Bitter Lake. According to the officials, the crew of the Ever Given is safe and will continue to get paid. The canal’s authorities said they would prefer to settle the matter outside court, though they did not rule out a lawsuit.
