Shoei Kisen, the Japanese owner of the Evergreen Marine-operated containership that has grounded in the Suez Canal, has admitted it is facing an “extremely difficult situation”.

Commenting for the first time since the 20,388-teu Ever Given (built 2018) went aground, Shoei said that it is working with Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement “toward an early resolution of the situation”.

“To the vessels that were transiting the Suez Canal and those planning to pass and...