The 'Emma Maersk', Maersk Line's largest container vessel, experienced ingress of water into the engine room in early February.
The vessel had just commenced its southbound transit through the Suez Canal en route to Asia.
The captain decided to terminate the planned voyage and go alongside the nearby Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT).
According to Captain Marius Gardastovu, there was never any real danger or panic at any point.
"Of course it is a shocking experience when you look back and consider what could have happened," he said.
"But given the circumstances, everything was handled as well as possible because of a close-knit crew who knew exactly what to do."
The 397 metre vessel was loaded with containers equivalent to 13,537TEU, of which 6,425 were full. The first step was to identify the cargo on board. Cargo lists were shared with local Maersk Line customer service agents who have since reached out to all its customers with cargo on board with the relevant information.
Alternate routings
Alternative arrangements for the cargo were made whereby sensitive cargo was loaded onto Maersk Line's existing network shortly after the incident.
Further contingencies and schedules were finalised as part of the cargo was loaded on the 'Maersk Kotka', some of the cargo was loaded on the 'CC Medea', and the remaining eastbound cargo was loaded onto 'Maersk Kokura'.
"As far as the vessel is concerned, the leaks have been sealed, and 'Emma Maersk' will soon leave SCCT to be towed to a European port for repairs," said Maersk Line in a statement.
"This may take months, but Maersk Line is able to reorganise its fleet without chartering replacement tonnage.
"The 9,660TEU '48Y-Butterfly' will replace 'Emma Maersk' on the AE10 Asia-Europe service until she is ready to re-enter service."
Image Source: Nils Jepsen
