------------------UPDATE 12---------------

22 April 2022

* Following the refloating of EVER FORWARD on 17 April, it is reported that the vessel was taken under tow to Annapolis Anchorage, Maryland for inspection.

* Reports indicate that the vessel sustained no significant damage as a result of the grounding. Evergreen now advise that the vessel will shortly return to Baltimore to reload the containers lightered from the vessel and will then resume its voyage, calling first at Norfolk and later at New York.

* An investigation into the cause of the grounding to be conducted by the US Coast Guard is expected to take several months to complete. Early reports suggest that an unusual weather condition in the region may have resulted in lower than normal water levels in Chesapeake Bay, which would have increased the risk of grounding. However, it is apparent that the vessel missed a turn in the channel after its departure from Baltimore before the grounding for reasons which remain unclear. We have retained expert surveyors to undertake our own investigation for our clients.

* As previously reported, all cargo stowed on board the vessel at the time of the casualty is required to provide suitable GA security before the cargo can be delivered at destination. We already represent a significant volume of cargo on board and we stand ready to assist. We therefore recommend that you contact us urgently if you are concerned with any cargo on board the vessel and require assistance with the provision of GA security and so we may also take the appropriate action to protect your interests.

* We remind you that claims can be submitted to us by email or via our online Document Portal: https://wkwccmdocs.azurewebsites.net/Vessel/NewClaim?id=8 .

------------------UPDATE 11---------------

17 April 2022

* Following a lightening operation, involving the removal of approximately 550 containers, the EVER FORWARD has now been refloated with the use of tugs on the morning of Sunday 17th April.

* We are closely monitoring events, particularly around when the vessel will resume its voyage to Norfolk. It seems likely that there will need to be an underwater inspection of the hull and other checks before the vessel is permitted to sail by the authorities. It is also unclear if the vessel will re-load the containers that were removed or whether they will be forwarded by alternative means.

* All cargo on board will need to have suitable general average security provided before it can be delivered at destination and we stand ready to assist in this respect. We already represent a significant volume of cargo on board, so we would encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if you require assistance with the GA formalities.

* Claims can be submitted to us by email or via our online Document Portal here: https://wkwccmdocs.azurewebsites.net/Vessel/NewClaim?id=8 .

------------------UPDATE 10---------------

13 April 2022

* We have received reports that the operation to lighten container ship, EVER FORWARD commenced on 9 April 2022, following the initial unsuccessful attempts to refloat the vessel.

* It is reported that approximately 550 containers will be removed from the vessel by two crane barges and transferred to Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore by barge, before further attempts to refloat the vessel will be made.

* We understand that approximately 100 containers had been removed from the vessel by Tuesday, 12 April.

* We are currently instructed by a significant number of Cargo Insurers and we are well placed to assist you if you are concerned with any cargo stowed on board the vessel.

* We have instructed marine engineers to investigate the cause(s) of the grounding and we will therefore be able to offer certain economies of scale in respect of costs incurred in that regard. We also have cargo surveyors on hand to ascertain any damage to cargo that may arise as a result of the casualty.

* We would encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if you are concerned with any cargo on board the vessel so that we may take steps to provide GA security on your behalf prior to delivery of the cargo.

* Claims can be submitted to us by email or via our online Document Portal here: https://wkwccmdocs.azurewebsites.net/Vessel/NewClaim?id=8 .

------------------UPDATE 9-----------------

5 April 2022

* Recent efforts to refloat the vessel by the use of tugs and dredgers have failed and the vessel therefore remains hard aground in Chesapeake Bay. As a result, latest reports are that steps will now be taken to lighten the vessel before further attempts are made.

* The lightening operation will reportedly involve the deployment of two crane barges which will remove containers from both the port and starboard sides of the vessel and transfer the containers to barges which will shuttle the containers back to the Seagrit Marine Terminal in Baltimore.

* For safety considerations, the lightering operation is expected to take place only during daylight hours. It is therefore estimated that the time necessary for completion of that operation is approximately two weeks, dependent on local weather conditions.

* Experts and the vessel's crew are continuing to monitor the stability of the vessel and to look out for any signs of pollution as a result of the casualty.

* If you are concerned with any cargo on board the vessel, we would encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so that we may take steps to provide GA security on your behalf prior to delivery of the cargo.

------------------UPDATE 8-----------------

31 March 2022

GENERAL AVERAGE DECLARED - PLEASE READ

* Further to our previous reports, it is now confirmed that the Owners of the EVER FORWARD have declared General Average.

* General Average security will be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo and we will be able to assist in that regard.

*Claims can be submitted to us by email or via our online Document Portal here: https://wkwccmdocs.azurewebsites.net/Vessel/NewClaim?id=8 .

* We also confirm having instructed an expert marine surveyor to investigate the cause of the grounding of the vessel so that we may evaluate the merits of any potential defences to contribution in GA that may be available to cargo interests in due course.

* The vessel currently remains aground in the Chesapeake Bay, USA and further attempts to refloat the vessel are not expected to be effected until 3 / 4 April.

* We very strongly recommend that you contact us urgently if you are concerned with any cargo stowed on board the vessel in order that we may assist you with the necessary GA formalities and to take all other steps to protect your interests.

------------------UPDATE 7-----------------

30 March 2022

* Further to our previous reports, we advise that an attempt made by salvors to refloat the vessel at high tide on 29 March 2022, involving 5 tugs, was unsuccessful. The vessel therefore remains aground.

* It is reported that further attempts to refloat the vessel, involving additional assistance from two anchored barges, will be made on 3 / 4 April 2022. If those attempts also prove unsuccessful, efforts will be made to partly lighten the vessel by transhipping some containers from the vessel. In that case, the delivery of cargo to destination ports will be further delayed.

* GA has not yet been declared but Evergreen are reported to have advised that "the issue of general average will be evaluated at a later date based on the progress of the refloating operation". If General Average is declared, General Average security may be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo, her next port expected to be Norfolk, and we are well placed to be able to assist in that regard.

* There are currently no reports of any damage being incurred to the vessel during the last refloating operation and we understand that experts and the vessel's crew are constantly monitoring the vessel's stability and the condition of the ballast tanks and fuel tanks for any signs of leakage.

* We shall continue to monitor the progress of the refloating operation and will report any further developments, particularly as to the declaration of GA, as soon as further information is available.

------------------UPDATE 6-----------------

28 March 2022

* Further to our previous reports, we can advise that the EVER FORWARD remains aground in Chesapeake Bay, USA as at 28 March 2022.

* Two dredgers are continuing to assist the refloating operation and a number of tugs are in close attendance to the vessel. We understand that attempts will be made to refloat the vessel by the end of this week.

* Shipowners have not yet formally declared GA, but if GA is declared General Average security will be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo and we are well placed to assist Cargo Insurers in that regard.

* We will continue to closely monitor the progress of the refloating operation and we will report any significant developments, particularly as to the possible declaration of GA, as soon as further information is received.

------------------UPDATE 5-----------------

21 March 2022

* Further to our last Update, we advise that EVER FORWARD today remains aground in Chesapeake Bay, USA.

* It is reported that shipowners and salvors have submitted a plan to refloat the vessel to the Authorities, which involves releasing ballast to lighten the vessel and dredging the sea bottom around the vessel before attempting to refloat the vessel at high tide using the vessel's main engine and tug assistance. The agreement of the Authorities to the salvage plan is, however, required before the operation can be commenced.

* Other reports indicate that two dredgers are currently in the vicinity of the vessel. It appears that the dredging operation may therefore commence soon, although it is suggested that dredging may take up to a week to complete before attempts may be taken to safely refloat the vessel.

* There are currently no reports of any loss or damage to cargo or of any pollution arising as a result of the grounding and the weather forecast in the area is favourable.

* The complexity, time and expense of the salvage operation makes the possibility of shipowners declaring General Average more likely. If GA is declared, General Average security will be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo and we are well placed to assist Cargo Insurers in that regard.

* The US Coast Guard reports that officials have not yet determined what caused the vessel to run aground.

* We will continue to monitor developments closely and will report further as more news of the salvage operation becomes available.

 

------------------UPDATE 4-----------------

18 March 2022

* Further to our previous Reports, we advise that EVER FORWARD today remains aground in Chesapeake Bay, USA.

* It is apparent that efforts to refloat the vessel have so far been unsuccessful, and the salvage operation may therefore be a more protracted and difficult one.

* It is reported that the vessel's draft was 13 metres at the time of the grounding whereas the depth of water at the location of the grounding is reported to be only approximately 7.5 metres.

* It is quite possible that the salvage operation may therefore require the vessel to be lightened to allow the vessel to be successfully refloated.

* The apparent complexity, time and expense of the salvage operation now makes the possibility of shipowners declaring General Average more likely.

* If GA is declared, General Average security will be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo and we are well placed to assist Cargo Insurers in that regard.

* We have marine engineers and cargo surveyors on standby to investigate the cause of the grounding and any physical loss or damage to cargo arising as a result of the grounding.

* We are continuing to monitor developments closely and will report further as matters progress.

------------------UPDATE 3-----------------

17 March 2022

* Further to our last Update, we report that EVER FORWARD remains aground in Chesapeake Bay, USA.

* It is reported that a team of salvage experts, including naval architects and divers, has boarded the vessel to determine the best course of action to refloat the vessel.

* The crew are required by the Coast Guard to conduct regular soundings of tanks to monitor any changes in stability, draft, and position of the vessel, and any signs of pollution arising as a result of the casualty.

* We will continue to monitor developments and we will report further as soon as there is any more news.

------------------UPDATE 2-----------------

16 March 2022

* Further to our previous reports, we advise that container ship, EVER FORWARD remains aground in Chesapeake Bay, USA.

* We understand that professional salvors have now been appointed by shipowners on commercial terms to assist the refloating operation.

* Salvage security will now not be required to be provided by cargo interests. However, it remains possible that shipowners will declare GA. If so, General Average security may be required from all Cargo Interests prior to the delivery of their cargo and we are likely to be able to assist in that regard.

* Further media reports as to the cause of the casualty indicate that the vessel strayed from the narrow fairway of the Chesapeake Bay during its outward passage from Baltimore and is likely to have grounded in shallow water on a predominantly muddy bottom. The vessel's draft at the time of departure from Baltimore is reported to have been 13 metres whereas the average depth of the Bay is approximately only 6.4 metres. Significant efforts may therefore be required to refloat the vessel and it is possible that Recovery issues may arise in respect of any time and/or temperature sensitive cargo in the event of any prolonged delay in the vessel's schedule.

* There are currently no reports of any pollution arising from the grounding and local meteorological conditions remain benign.

*.We will continue to monitor developments and we will report further as matters progress.

------------------UPDATE 1-------------------

15 March 2022

* Following our initial report of yesterday, the latest information is that the vessel remains aground in Chesapeake Bay off Baltimore, USA.

* It is reported that the last high tide was at 17.21 hours (local time) but that the vessel did not refloat.

* The Coast Guard and Maryland Department of the Environment are reported to be coordinating attempts to refloat the vessel. Shipowners are reported to have arranged for divers to inspect the vessel for any bottom damage but there are currently no reports of any pollution in the area. Shipowners advise that they are "participating in coordinated efforts to refloat the ship as soon as possible".

* The weather locally is reported to be calm.

* Initial reports indicate that at the time of the grounding the vessel appeared to be navigating normally at a speed of approximately 12 knots with a pilot on board.

* We are closely monitoring developments and will issue additional reports as soon as there is further news.

------------------ORIGINAL-----------------

* We have received reports that container ship, EVER FORWARD grounded in a position off the coast of Gibson Island in Chesapeake Bay on 14 March 2022.

* Two tugs are presently attending the vessel.

* We are currently making enquiries as to the severity of the casualty. Our further Reports will follow as more detailed information comes to light.

* In the meantime, it is possible that General Average / Salvage and Recovery issues may arise as a result of this casualty.

* We recommend that you contact us urgently if you are concerned with any cargo on board this vessel so that we can immediately start taking steps to protect your interests.