Suez Canal, Ever Given reach deal

Egyptian officials and owners of the giant Ever Given vessel that blocked the Suez Canal earlier this year have reached a preliminary deal over compensation, according to the ship’s representatives. “Following extensive discussions with the Suez Canal Authority’s negotiating committee over the past few weeks, an agreement in principle between the parties has been reached,” Stann Marine Ltd, a London-based law firm for the Ever Given’s owners and insurers, said. The two sides will finalise an agreement “as soon as possible”, after which the ship can leave Egypt, Stann said. He did not disclose any financial details. The 400-metre Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container vessels, ran aground in the canal in late March, blocking it for six days.