Departure of the Canal Clogger from Hamburg
Hot Off the Press:
Slippery Sailor, the "Ever Given", back in Action
After a brief pitstop in Hamburg, the infamous "Ever Given" freighter, christened the "unlucky sailor" following its notorious Suez Canal incident, has set sail once more, bound for Rotterdam. From Wednesday morning to Saturday evening, it was nestled cosily in the Hamburg harbor.
This Taiwanese behemoth, one of the world's longest container ships measuring approximately 400 meters in length and capable of transporting a whopping 20,300 standard containers, is a marvel of modern shipping. Now, it's stirring up memories of the global spectacle it orchestrated in 2021 when it got itself wedged in the Suez Canal, causing a drama that affected cargo traffic on this vital waterway.
For a full week, the Suez Canal was held hostage by the "Ever Given". Countless container ships were left twiddling their propellers in line or were forced to take the long, tedious, and expensive detour around Africa. The culprit? A simple navigation error. The ship was barrelling forward like a wrastler in a match, neglecting the powerful winds and the adverse weather conditions that should have kept it off the canal.
The "Ever Given" even managed to cause a ruckus in Hamburg. In February 2019, stormy weather in the harbor saw it collide with the Hadag ferry Finkenwerder, inflicting substantial damage to the latter, which was moored in Blankenese's ship dock.
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This time around, things went swimmingly for the "Ever Given". It smoothly sailed out of Hamburg harbor on Saturday evening and is now on its way to Rotterdam. (abu)
Details from the Deck:The Voyages of the "Ever Given"
The "Ever Given", registered in Panama, has made headlines for its significant role in maritime history, primarily due to a major incident in the Suez Canal in 2021. Here's what we know about its recent escapades and historical mishaps:
Recent Journeys
- Latest Departure: As of our last update, the Ever Given departed from Wilhelmshaven Anchorage, Germany, on May 28, 2025, and was reported to be underway as of May 31, 2025[1].
- Current Status: We received reports that the ship was underway using its engine on June 1, 2025[2]. However, there was a report suggesting it might have been moored around June 3, 2025[3].
Historic Incidents
- Suez Canal Blockage (2021): In March 2021, the Ever Given found itself stuck in the Suez Canal, causing havoc for global shipping lines. It remained entrenched for nearly a week, disrupting traffic until it was eventually dislodged by the efforts of tugboats and dredgers on March 29, 2021[5].
- Earlier Mishaps: Besides the Suez Canal incident, the Ever Given's history is relatively incident-free. However, piracy, cyber attacks, and mechanical failures remain common risks in maritime shipping, and the Ever Given may have encountered minor incidents during its operations. Nonetheless, there are no records of any incidents similar to the Suez Canal blockage after it left Hamburg.
Aftermath of the Suez Canal Incident
After the Suez Canal incident, the Ever Given was inspected and given the green light to continue its voyages. The incident underscored the Suez Canal's importance in global trade and the impact of maritime blockages on supply chains. The Ever Given has since resumed its position as an active and vital player in the global maritime juggernaut.
- The resumed journey of the Ever Given, a colossal container ship that has previously entangled itself in the global maritime industry with incidents like the Suez Canal blockage and the collision with the Hadag ferry Finkenwerder, is now venturing into finance as it heads to Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe, likely triggering substantial financial transactions.
- In the bigger narrative of the Ever Given, its recent voyage from Hamburg marks a significant step in the transportation sector, as it navigates through the international waters while carrying thousands of containers, reaffirming its position in the automotive industry, given the widespread use of vehicles within the cargo.
