'Ever Given' docks in UK four months after Suez Canal debacle

Ship will need repairs after reaching destination on England's east coast

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  The container ship 'Ever Given' arrives at the UK's Port of Felixstowe in Suffolk.

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  The huge container ship that blocked the Suez Canal will dock in the UK for the first time since causing disruption to global shipping.

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  Shipspotters flock to England's Suffolk coast hoping for a glimpse of the boat.

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  The 400-metre vessel unloaded most of its 18,300-container cargo at Rotterdam Port ahead of its arrival in the UK.

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  Spectators watch the ship arrive in port from the beach in Felixstowe.

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  Spectators watch as the container ship Ever Given arrives at the Port of Felixstowe Ltd. in Felixstowe, U. K. , on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. The giant container ship that had blocked Egypt’s Suez Canal for nearly a week earlier this year was released on July 7 following an agreement between authorities and the vessel’s owners. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg

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  The 'Ever Given' passes beachgoers as it arrives at the Port of Felixstowe.

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  A yacht sailing past the 'Ever Given' helps to illusrate the sheer size of the container ship.

The Ever Given docked at an English port on Tuesday as it concluded the final leg of a disastrous journey in which it blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week, holding up billions of dollars of global trade.

Hundreds of ship-spotters lined up on the shoreline near Felixstowe on England's Suffolk coast, hoping for a glimpse of the boat.

The 400-metre vessel — which was loaded with 18,300 containers — dropped off much of its cargo at Rotterdam Port last week following a four-month delay.

A representative for the Ever Given's operator said that control of the ship would be handed over to Japanese owner Shoei Kisen Kashai and that the ship would be taken for repairs.

The representative did not disclose what repairs would be needed, but said the ship would be “out of action for some time” as the damage was carefully assessed.

It had originally been scheduled to make an additional stop in Hamburg, Germany, but was rerouted following a safety classification.

Spectators watch as the container ship 'Ever Given' arrives at the Port of Felixstowe, four months later than planned. Bloomberg

The Ever Given ran aground in Egypt's Suez Canal on March 23 after reportedly losing the ability to steer during dusty and windy conditions.

About $9.5 billion worth of cargo was held up as rescuers desperately attempted to dislodge the ship from the vital trade artery that carries 10 per cent of global maritime trade.

Hundreds of ships were delayed as they waited for the canal to be unblocked and some vessels were forced to take the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa.

The 'Ever Given' container ship runs aground in the Suez Canal. Reuters

It was only refloated six days later, after a huge salvage operation in which one employee of the Suez Canal Authority was killed.

The authority held the ship for several weeks following the rescue and demanded the owner pay $550 million in damages.

After protracted negotiations, an undisclosed settlement between the parties was reached and the authority announced that the ship would be released.