Vessel that blocked Suez Canal impounded amid financial dispute

Cairo, May 12 (AP) Egyptian authorities impounded a massive cargo vessel that blocked the Suez Canal last month amid a financial dispute with its owner, the canal chief and a judicial official said Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. Osama Rabie said the hulking Ever Given would not be allowed to leave the country until a compensation amount is settled on with the vessel''s Japanese owner, Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd.

“The vessel is now officially impounded,” he told Egypt''s state-run television late Monday. “They do not want to pay anything.”

There was no immediate comment from the vessel''s owner.

Rabie did not say