Agreement on compensation for marine pollution yet to be reached

Colombo (News 1st);  No final agreement was reached with regard to securing compensation from the ill-fated MT New Diamond crude oil tanker for causing marine pollution following an oil leak, said the Attorney General's Department

State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General speaking to News 1st said despite talks with the owners and salvors of MT New Diamond, the vessel is being towed away from Sri Lankan waters even before talks were finalized.

However, discussions will take place on securing compensation for causing marine pollution from the owners of MT New Diamond, said Nishara Jayaratne.

MT New Diamond is being towed away from Sri Lankan waters despite objections raised by the Attorney General's Department and the Marine Environment Protection Authority.

The MT New Diamond crude oil tanker was transporting 270,000 metric tons of crude oil from the port of Meena Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Port of Paradip in India when a fire broke out aboard in the eastern seas of Sri Lanka on 03rd September 2020 at around 0800 hrs.

The ship was sailing 38 nautical miles off Sangamankanda Point when it caught fire with an explosion in a boiler in the ship’s main engine room.

The distressed oil tanker in eastern seas was manned by 23 crew members including 5 Greeks and 18 Philippine nationals.

It was also reported that 1700 metric tons of diesel required for the use of the tanker are also stored onboard.

MT New Diamond is a 20-year old crude oil tanker that is 333 meters long and 60 meters wide, and sailed with a Japanese certificate and is registered in Panama.

The fully laden New Shipping-controlled tanker suffered a boiler explosion a month ago, resulting in a sizeable fire centered around its accommodation block.

India and Sri Lanka deployed significant resources to douse the blaze. Some bunker fuel spilt from the tanker last month.