SMIT Salvage, a subsidiary of Boskalis, wants more money to float Ever Given. That ship blocked the Suez Canal for a week in the spring of 2021. The daughter of shipping provider Boskalis took the ship’s Japanese owner to court in England.
SMIT, who is often hired for tough salvage jobs, had signed a contract to refloat the Ever Given with Higaki Sangyo Kaisha. That Japanese company owns the container ship operated by Taiwanese shipping company Evergreen.
Block
Now SMIT wants to file a so-called bailout request, because the situation was dangerous for the company’s employees. The subsidiary Boskalis believes that the Japanese company is blocking this possibility.
Companies that come to the aid of ships in distress can file such a salvage request. This can generate tens of millions of euros depending on how successful the rescue was, whether the people on board were rescued and whether there was any danger to the rescuers. SMIT now says the two tugs it sent to Egypt threatened to be sucked under the Ever Given when it came off. This could only be avoided by quick action by SMIT personnel, who were able to release the tow cables.
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Exit only
The Japanese owner’s lawyers, however, argue that SMIT did not play as large a role in the rescue. The Suez Canal Authority is said to have led it and SMIT only implemented it, they say. It would also set a dangerous precedent if rescuers first signed a contract and then tried to request more money later.
If SMIT receives clearance for the salvage request from the British court, where maritime claims are usually fought, the company could seek up to $35 million. Converted, it is about 33 million euros.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
