Europe is not a large import market as far as Fiji is concerned, says Swire Shipping regional manager, Alex Pattison.

Mr Pattison made the comment as the mammoth container ship Ever Given was stuck in Egypt’s Suez Canal last Tuesday March 23.

Egypt’s Suez Canal reopened for shipping traffic in both directions on Monday evening after Ever Given was re-floated and finally moved yesterday.

The stranded mega-container ship was holding up around $9.6 billion of goods each day, according to shipping data.

Ever Given is 400 metres long (1312ft) and weighs 200,000 tonnes, with a maximum capacity of 20,000 containers.

It was carrying 18,300 containers when it was stuck at the Suez Canal.

“Europe to Fiji is not a major market for Swire Shipping,” Mr Pattison said.

He said while Swire handles some imports, they would expect delays anywhere between one to two weeks if there is going to be any.

Mr Pattison could not confirm as to what goods would be affected.

“Europe is not a large import market into Fiji, although there will be some delays, I do not think it will be severe,” he said.

Shipping Services (Fiji) Pte Limited managing director, Bernard Hong Tiy, said that with more than 400 ships waiting to pass the Suez Canal, it would not have much impact on Fiji.

“We have some import coming from Europe, and we will expect delay.”

Mr Hong Tiy said the containers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) personnel serving in the Middle East go cross the Suez Canal.

Mr Pattison said the medium-term impact could be more congestion on the already congested Asian ports.

“When the current vessels are held up on the West side of the Suez start to flow through to the east and could cause a bunching effect in the major Asian ports,” he said.

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