Owners of Dubai Star, the oil tanker that caused an oil spill in the San Francisco bay area, are facing a lawsuit for $10 million (Dh36.7m) by US fishermen and the owner of a local food processing company. The suit filed by crab fisherman Mark Russo, herring fisherman Ron Alioti, and Next Seafood Company owner Russell Robinette, seeks compensation for alleged loss in business due to fall in fish prices as people refused to buy fearing contamination from the oil spill. The class action suit was filed in the San Francisco Federal Court.
Speaking to Emirates Business, Ram Moorthy, General Manager, Pioneer Ship Management Services Company, the technical manager of Dubai Star, said he is aware of the litigation and the company's attorneys in the US are looking at the lawsuit. Fishing in the area was suspended following the oil spill.
"We cannot give more information until the operations are over. We are aware of the $10m lawsuit filed by fishermen in San Francisco. We have our attorney there and our guys are on the work," Moorthy said.
Khamis Juma Bu Amin, CEO of Regional Clean Sea Organisation (Resco), said: "We don't have details of the oil spill case. If there is an environmental impact in US territorial waters, there are stringent rules there. That can add to the total claims. However, the insurance coverage will depend on whether the ship was carrying crude or bunker oil FOB or CIS. These things will be decided only after thorough investigation."
The defendants include Dubai Star, South Harmony Shipping, Pioneer Ship Management and Heidmar.
Source: Emirates Business
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