Suez Canal: Aftermath since the Ever Given was released last week after a week of grounding. Consequences that have affected the world and Spanish ports. Let us begin.
After a week of sea jam in the Suez Canal, the number of containers headed to the ports of Spain rose to 65,000 . That was the quantity the day after the Ever Given had been released from the blockage.
And since a freighter takes an estimate of 6 days to arrive in the country from the moment it leaves the canal. This would imply an increase in traffic during this week in our ports. Thus it has been explained by Jordi Espin Villabona of Transprime, the Spanish Association of Freighter Companies.
In addition, we would have to add to the sum of frighters that decided to change their route and reach Europe via the Cape of Good Hope.
Therefore, ports are now ready for a tsunami of cargo arrivals after the unblocking of the canal. As a result, some ports have prepared to receive a greater number of containers during these days. So has been done, for example, by the Port of Valencia, according to its authority.
And , although the canall has already been reopened, the Spanish sector fears a replica of this tsunami of arrivals at ports. Again, the blockage of the Suez Canal: aftermath.
This would occur in the months of April and May. This is due to the expected concentration of offers up to 30% in transport. The reason would be that shipping companies limited the shipments of freighters during the aforementioned months to compensate for losses during their detention.
As Transprime exemplifies, “it’s like when you are waiting for the bus. If there are no buses circulating because of a traffic jam, six will come at once, but after that you will have to wait a long time for another to pass.”
In addition to this, there is a lack of information on the part of the sector towards Spanish exporters. These would have to find alternatives, such as air routes or trains, to reach the eastern continent. Alternatives which are more expensive than maritime transport.
On the other hand, Egypt demands compensation of 1 billion dollars for uncollected transit fees, damage to the canal, salvage work or cost of equipment.