CAIRO: The owner of a container ship that blocked the Suez Canal in March says the canal authority was at fault over its grounding as it disputes the vessel’s detention and a compensation claim, a lawyer representing the owner said on Saturday.
The Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container ships, became jammed across the canal in high winds on March 23, and remained grounded for six days, blocking traffic in both directions and disrupting global trade.
The vessel has since been held in a lake between two stretches of the canal as the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) pursues a $916.5 million claim against Japanese owner Shoei Kisen.
An appeals chamber at Ismailia Economic Court held hearings on Saturday over the ship’s detention, which the SCA is seeking to uphold following an appeal by the owner, as well as the SCA’s financial claim.
Lawyers representing Shoei Kisen argued that the SCA had been at fault for allowing the ship to enter the waterway amid bad weather, Ahmed Abu Ali, a member of the legal team, told Reuters, adding that the authority failed to prove any fault by the ship.
Recordings from the ship that were presented to the court showed disagreements between SCA pilots and its control center over whether it should enter the canal, Abu Ali said.
Lawyers for Shoei Kisen said the ship should have been accompanied by at least two tug boats suitable for the ship’s size “but this didn’t happen,” he added.
The SCA did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but it has publicly denied being at fault.
Lawyers for Shoei Kisen also argued that the Ever Given’s detention was legally flawed and that the work to release the ship was not “a salvage (operation) in the proper legal sense,” meaning the SCA could not seek compensation for such an operation, Abu Ali said.
“This was one of the duties of the authority according to the traffic contract,” he said.
Shoei Kisen is claiming $100,000 in initial compensation for losses related to its detention, he said.
The court was expected to issue a decision on the case on Sunday, lawyers and witnesses said.
Ship owner says Suez Canal was at fault over Ever Given grounding – lawyer
https://arab.news/89a2s
Ship owner says Suez Canal was at fault over Ever Given grounding – lawyer
- The Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container ships, became jammed across the canal in high winds on March 23
- Shoei Kisen is claiming $100,000 in initial compensation for losses related to its detention
Davos Panel: How to Lower the Temperature in the Middle East
The ongoing war in Gaza, a delicate ceasefire in Lebanon, a political changeover in Syria and heightened tensions in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa threaten to spill over into a wider regional conflict in the Middle East.
At the same time, the region finds itself caught in the middle of a geoeconomic competition between superpowers.
Jordan’s crown prince meets Bahrain, Kurdistan leaders in Davos
- Crown Prince Hussein seeks to boost cooperation in the region
- Joins session on artificial intelligence, global skills development
DUBAI: Representing King Abdullah at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah held meetings recently with regional leaders to reinforce Jordan’s commitment to fostering cooperation and addressing pressing challenges in the region.
The crown prince met with Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, head of Bahrain’s delegation, to discuss ties between the two nations, according to reports.
Their talks focused on enhancing economic and technological cooperation and advancing training programs to help young people prepare for the workplace.
In addition, they reviewed regional developments, stressing the importance of sustaining the Gaza ceasefire and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In a separate meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the discussions focused on relations between Jordan and Iraq.
The officials also spoke about boosting collaboration, especially in economic and technology fields, and addressing key regional issues.
The crown prince also participated in a session on enhancing the skills and productivity of people in the age of artificial intelligence.
The session addressed the WEF’s 2020 initiative to train 1 billion people globally by 2030, which is aimed at closing skill gaps and preparing workers for rapid technological advancements.
The participants at the 55th WEF, held under the theme “Cooperation for the Smart Age,” include heads of state, global CEOs and entrepreneurs, who have gathered to discuss strategies for growth, investing in people, and managing challenges in the energy sector and beyond.
The crown prince was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s Ambassador to Switzerland Nawaf Al-Tal, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Dr. Zaid Al-Baqain.
Hundreds leave West Bank camp during Israeli raid: Palestinian official
- The Israeli military launched an operation in Jenin on Tuesday, saying it aims to uproot Palestinian militants in the camp and the city.
Jenin: A Palestinian official said hundreds of residents of the occupied West Bank’s Jenin refugee camp were leaving their homes Thursday, days into a large-scale Israeli raid in the area.
“Hundreds of camp residents have begun leaving after the Israeli army, using loudspeakers on drones and military vehicles, ordered them to evacuate the camp,” where Israel’s military launched an intense military operation this week, Jenin governor Kamal Abu Al-Rub told AFP.
The army told AFP that it was “unaware of any evacuation orders for residents in Jenin as of now.”
Salim Saadi, a Jenin resident who lives on the edge of the refugee camp, told AFP that the army had asked camp residents to leave between 9:00 am (0700 GMT) and 5:00 pm.
“There are dozens of camp residents who have begun to leave,” he said.
“The army is in front of my house. They could enter at any moment.”
The Israeli military launched an operation in Jenin on Tuesday, saying it aims to uproot Palestinian militants in the camp and the city.
The offensive began just days after a ceasefire deal paused fighting in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli assault has killed at least 10 Palestinians and injured 40 more, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Operation Iron Wall,” as it has been dubbed, will “eradicate terrorism” in the West Bank city known as a bastion of Palestinian militancy.
Israeli army says killed two Palestinian militants in West Bank
- The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli authorities had informed it of the deaths of Nazzal, 25, and Shalabi, 30
Ramallah: The Israeli military said Thursday it killed two Palestinian militants overnight near the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, where a large-scale raid is underway, accusing them of murdering three Israelis.
In a statement, the military said that Israeli forces found the two militants barricaded in a house in the village of Burqin.
“After an exchange of fire, they were eliminated by the forces,” it said, adding one soldier was injured in the exchange.
The military identified those killed as Mohammed Nazzal and Qutaiba Shalabi, accusing them of being “affiliated with Islamic Jihad” and responsible for a deadly shooting on an Israeli bus in early January.
The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said Israeli authorities had informed it of the deaths of Nazzal, 25, and Shalabi, 30.
“The bodies are being withheld” by the army, it added in a statement.
Three Israelis were killed and six injured in a January 6 attack near the village of Al-Funduq, also in the West Bank.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said at the time he had directed the military to “act with force” to find the attackers, vowing on X that “anyone who... enables or supports the murder and harm of Jews will pay a heavy price.”
The night that followed the attack saw several instances of violent altercations with settlers in that part of the West Bank, including in the village of Hajja, whose mayor told AFP it had come under attack.
Violence has surged throughout the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 850 Palestinians in the West Bank since the conflict began.
During the same period, at least 29 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli military operations in the territory, according to Israeli official figures.
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli attack on West Bank’s Jenin
- Gunfire, explosions rocked Jenin on Wednesday as Israeli military kept up large-scale raid for second day
- The operation, launched just days after a ceasefire in Gaza, has left at least 10 Palestinians dead
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israeli forces’ attack in the occupied West Bank’s Jenin area, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
Gunfire and explosions rocked Jenin on Wednesday, an AFP journalist reported, as the Israeli military kept up a large-scale raid for a second day.
The operation, launched just days after a ceasefire paused more than a year of fighting in Gaza, has left at least 10 Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Israeli officials have said the raid is part of a broader campaign against militants in the West Bank, citing thousands of attack attempts since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023.
“The Kingdom renews its demand for the international community to assume its responsibilities towards halting Israeli violations of relevant international laws and treaties,” a Saudi foreign ministry statement read.
Saudi Arabia warned that the continuation of these violations might cause the fighting and chaos to return to occupied Palestinian territories, thus risking the security and safety of civilians and undermining chances of peace in the region.