A 40 knot (about 46 MPH) dust storm was a contributing factor in the Ever Given incident. With containers stacked seven high or more on a deck, the cargo can serve as a giant, unwanted sail on such blustery days. (Credit: Islam Safwat/Bloomberg) A 40 knot (about 46 MPH) dust storm was a contributing factor in the incident involving the Ever Given, which is operated by Evergreen Marine. With containers stacked seven high or more on a deck, the cargo can serve as a giant, unwanted sail on such blustery days. (Credit: Islam Safwat/Bloomberg)

Transoceanic sailing has always been a risky proposition. But is a spate of headline-grabbing incidents flashing signs of growing exposure for seafaring cargo?

The most recent event, and perhaps the most dramatic, involved the mega-sized container ship Ever Given, which was pushed almost perpendicularly across the Suez Canal. This blocked the route for around 30% of all daily shipping container traffic worldwide, according to Patrick Hickey, senior underwriting director for Intact Ocean Marine.

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Steve Hallo

Steve Hallo is managing editor of PropertyCasualty360.com. He can be reached at [email protected]

Commercial Lines
E&S/Specialty
Emerging Risk