The Evergreen Marine ultra-large containership that grounded in the Suez Canal, and blocked world trade for six days, has finally started to unload cargo at the Port of Rotterdam.
The arrival of the 20,388-teu Ever Given (built 2018), four months late, comes following progress on the legal process to settle cargo and property-related claims.
The Port of Rotterdam said the arrival at its Delta terminal went "according to plan".
The vessel's operator, Evergreen Marine, said it plans to unload European continental cargo at Rotterdam.
It will also transship some containers to Hamburg on the 5,652-teu Ever Utile (built 2000).
The Ever Given's next port of call will be the UK's Port of Felixstowe, where the ship is scheduled to arrive on 8 August.
The Ever Given grounded on 23 March and was refloated six days later.
It was held by the Suez Canal Authority until 12 July while it negotiated a compensation settlement.
Limitation fund
Evergreen said the UK High Court has now set a limit on the shipowner's liability relating to damage to property, or infringement of rights, from the Suez Canal grounding.
The vessel's Japanese owners, Higaki Sangyo and Luster Marine, which are both related to Shoei Kisen Kaisha, have now established a limitation fund.
The fund amounts to £84m ($117m) and has been established through a letter of undertaking from Shoei Kisen’s protection and indemnity insurer, the UK P&I Club.
Luster Marine and Higaki Sangyo are being represented by UK law firm Holman Fenwick Willan.
The Ever Given is expected to go for inspection and repair after its Felixstowe port call.
