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For nearly a week, the Japanese-owned Ever Given blocked the Suez Canal, one of the world’s main trade routes. The captains and sailors of that ship were Indians. The Suez Canal authorities floated the ship in a desperate attempt. However, the ship’s sailors may have to pay the price for damage caused by the authorities even if movement on that route is normal. They can face severe punishment under the canal authorities’ own law.
According to BBC Bangla, the giant freighter was owned by Japan, a Panamanian-flagged carrier and operated by a Taiwanese company, Evergreen. However, all the sailors, including the captain of the ship, were Indian citizens. But the identities of the ship’s captain or other sailors have yet to be revealed.
According to reliable sources, most of the 25 sailors were residents of the southern states of Telangana, Kerala or Tamil Nadu. The captain himself is a South Indian.
Many in the United States, along with the Indian shipping industry, feel that Indian sailors will face criminal charges for the Suez accident.
All 25 sailors are known to have already been placed under ‘house arrest’ in Suez. They have also been banned from leaving the country until an investigation is completed by the Suez Canal authorities.
A senior source from the Maritime Union of India, India’s largest merchant marine officers’ organization, told the BBC:
“For example, every time a ship enters the canal, two of the Authority’s own pilots will board the ship and take over and lead the way.”
“But even then, if the ship has an accident, it will be the responsibility of the ship’s captain, not the pilots.”
The Indian shipping industry fears that Indian sailors are ultimately responsible for the accident.
Earlier on the morning of March 23, as Ever Given was moving along the Suez Canal, it was initially reported that the ship’s direction was bent due to heavy dust and high winds. In such a situation, block the channel horizontally.
As a result, some 300 cargo ships got stuck on both sides of the canal. Many ships have to sail all over Africa through Cape Town to Europe.
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