IMPACT OF 'EVER GIVEN' BLOCKAGE ON MAERSK: $89 MILLION LOSS
The 2021 blockage of the Suez Canal by the containership Ever Given left a lasting mark on global logistics, particularly for Danish shipping giant Maersk. According to a recent European study "The costs of maritime supply chain disruptions: The case of the Suez Canal blockage by the ‘Ever Given’ megaship led by the University of Gothenburg and the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, the incident cost Maersk nearly $89 million in delays and rerouted shipments.
At the time of the blockage, Maersk's vessel Maersk Denver was directly behind the stranded Ever Given. A total of 69 Maersk ships faced delays or were rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, a detour that has become increasingly common in light of the ongoing Red Sea crisis caused by Houthi rebel activity.
In early 2023, Maersk filed a lawsuit against Ever Given's operator, Evergreen, seeking $44 million in damages. However, by the end of the year, both parties reached a settlement out of court, the terms of which remain undisclosed. The study’s findings reveal that the incident's overall financial impact on Maersk was double the compensation it initially sought.
Beyond financial losses, the Ever-Given blockage also had significant environmental repercussions. Researchers estimate an additional 45,000 tons of CO2 emissions were generated due to delays and rerouting. The Suez Canal Authority also suffered revenue losses, estimated at $6 million in missed tolls.
This study, which includes contributions from experts at the Erasmus University Rotterdam and the University of Antwerp, highlights the vulnerability of global supply chains to disruptions. The researchers emphasise the importance of robust contingency plans and alternative transport routes to mitigate risks in the future.
The findings also point to broader implications, as disruptions in maritime logistics—such as the current Red Sea crisis—are likely to incur even greater costs and environmental impacts. The study provides valuable tools for analysing these challenges and underscores the need for increased resilience in global logistics.