On March 23, 2021, the world witnessed one of the most dramatic events in modern maritime logistics history. The container ship Ever Given, owned by Japanese company Shoei Kisen and operated by Taiwanese Evergreen Marine, completely blocked the Suez Canal — one of the most important arteries of global trade. This incident became a real test for the global logistics system and demonstrated the fragility of modern supply chains.
GLOBAL AF LOGISTICS, with its deep understanding of international logistics processes, analyzed this case and extracted important lessons for enhancing the resilience of logistics operations.
Anatomy of the Disaster: What Happened?
Vessel Dimensions
Ever Given is a Golden-class container ship with a length of 400 meters, width of 59 meters, and carrying capacity of 220,000 tons. The vessel can transport up to 20,124 TEU (twenty-foot containers), making it one of the largest container ships in the world.
Timeline of Events
- March 23, 2021, 07:40 UTC: Ever Given enters the Suez Canal as part of the northbound convoy
- 07:42 UTC: The vessel begins deviating from course due to strong winds of up to 50 km/h
- 07:45 UTC: The bow of the ship crashes into the eastern bank of the canal, the stern swings around and blocks the western bank
- March 29, 2021, 15:05 UTC: After six days of work, the vessel was successfully refloated
Scale of the Blockage
During the blockage, more than 400 ships queued up, carrying goods worth approximately $9.6 billion per day. Daily losses to global trade were estimated at $9-10 billion.
Causes of the Incident: GLOBAL AF LOGISTICS Analysis
Meteorological Factors
A sandstorm with wind gusts up to 50 km/h and limited visibility created critical navigation conditions. Our experts note that such weather conditions require special precautionary measures when large vessels pass through narrow straits.
Human Factor
The decision to continue movement in adverse conditions became the key factor. In logistics, the compromise between schedule adherence and safety remains a current issue.
Technical Vulnerability
The dimensions of modern container ships have reached the limits of existing maritime route capacity. Ever Given with its 59-meter width left minimal maneuvering reserve in the 205-meter canal.
Systemic Problems
The absence of escort tugs for vessels of this size in the northern part of the canal revealed gaps in the Suez Canal security system.
Economic Impact: Global Analysis
Immediate Consequences
- Trade losses: $9-10 billion daily
- Oil market: Oil prices rose by 6%
- Freight rates: 50-100% increase on alternative routes
- Insurance payments: Total damage exceeded $1 billion
Industry Impact
Automotive industry: Delays in microchip supplies exacerbated the existing semiconductor shortage.
Retail trade: Disruption of essential goods supplies to Europe and North America.
Energy sector: Delays in LNG and petroleum product deliveries.
Agriculture: Problems with fertilizer and agricultural product delivery.
Liberation Operation: Technical Complexity
Multi-stage Approach
- Dredging operations: Removal of 27,000 cubic meters of sand and soil
- Towing: Use of 10 tugboats with total power exceeding 160,000 horsepower
- Unloading: Partial cargo removal to reduce draft
- Using tides: Waiting for maximum tide to increase depth
International Cooperation
The operation involved specialists from Egypt, Netherlands, Japan, and other countries, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation in crisis situations.
Lessons for the Logistics Industry
1. Route Diversification
The incident showed the critical importance of having alternative logistics routes. GLOBAL AF LOGISTICS always develops backup delivery plans to minimize risks.
2. Supply Chain Risk Management
- Geographic diversification: Risk distribution across different regions
- Time buffers: Creating time reserves in logistics schemes
- Insurance: Comprehensive coverage of logistics risks
3. Technological Solutions
- Digital monitoring: Real-time tracking systems
- Predictive analytics: Forecasting possible disruptions
- Alternative routes: Automatic cargo rerouting
4. Cooperation with Authorities
The importance of maintaining close ties with port and customs authorities for rapid crisis response.
Long-term Industry Changes
Vessel Size Review
The incident initiated discussion about reasonable limits for container ship dimensions. Economies of scale must be weighed against operational risks.
Infrastructure Investments
- Suez Canal expansion: Acceleration of plans to create additional traffic lanes
- Alternative routes: Development of the Northern Sea Route and other alternatives
- Port infrastructure: Port modernization for handling large vessels
Regulatory Changes
- New safety standards: Tightening requirements for large vessel passage
- Mandatory escort: Requirements for tugboat escort
- Insurance requirements: Increased insurance coverage for mega-ships
GLOBAL AF LOGISTICS Recommendations
For Shippers
- Supplier diversification: Avoiding dependence on one geographic region
- Cargo insurance: Comprehensive coverage including force majeure circumstances
- Flexible contracts: Including force majeure and alternative route clauses
- Inventory management: Maintaining strategic reserves of critically important goods
For Logistics Companies
- Multimodal solutions: Development of combined delivery schemes
- Technology investments: Implementation of monitoring and risk management systems
- Partner networks: Creating alliances to ensure backup capacity
- Staff training: Preparation for crisis situations