UKC, one of the insurance companies on the ship that crashed into the Suez Canal last month, announced that the Canal Authority had sought compensation of $916 million from Japanese owner Shuikisen.

Bernard Scholt ShipMansion (BMS), operator of the container ship "Iver Geffen," which had disrupted navigation on the Suez Canal for days, said the ship was fit to sail and complete the crossing of the Canal, but would remain docked until an agreement was reached between the owner and the Suez Canal Authority.

In a statement, the company stated that "Iver Given" was seaworthy from the lake the big time to Port Said, where she would be re-checked before sailing to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The 400-metre-long ship is anchored in the lake between the Suez Canal sectors, since it was re-floated on 29 March last, having drifted in the waterway for 6 days and disrupted ship traffic.

The Canal Authority also obtained a warrant for the detention of the vessel during the period of the compensation talks.

Ian Beveridge, CEO of the operator, said in the statement: "The Suez Canal Authority's decision to detain the ship is deeply disappointing. From the beginning, the company and the crew aboard cooperated fully with the authorities. "

He added: "The basic objective of the company is to arrive at a quick resolution of this issue allowing the ship and crew to sail from the Suez Canal."

BMS said that it was still in contact with the crew, and that all of its members were healthy and spirited.