China News Service, August 20. Japanese media reported that a Japanese freighter hit a rock near Mauritius and leaked a large amount of fuel. At present, the captain and deputy captain of the freighter have been arrested and appear in court. Japan’s Kyodo News Agency stated that according to relevant international conventions, the maximum compensation limit is about 2 billion yen (about 130 million yuan) when the trial procedures are advanced locally.
According to reports, the cargo ship "WAKASHIO" hit a reef off the coast of Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is reported that the accident cargo ship changed course about 2 kilometers southeast of Mauritius, turned right about 90 degrees, and slowed down sharply. Experts pointed out that the cargo ship is likely to hit an obstacle at this location, which will cause it to hit the rocks.
According to information from the Mauritius police, the Indian captain and Sri Lankan deputy captain of the cargo ship were arrested on August 18 on suspicion of threatening the safety of navigation. The two subsequently appeared in court in accordance with the Mauritian judicial procedures, and were subsequently detained by the police and continue to be interrogated. Whether the relevant investigation can identify the cause of the accident is concerned.
On the other hand, Japan’s Kyodo News Agency stated that the international convention on fuel oil spill accidents stipulates that in principle, the shipowner’s company should join the insurance and compensate for the accident. The applicable law will respond in good faith."
According to the report, the "International Convention on the Limitation of Shipowners' Liability" sets a ceiling on the amount of compensation, because if it is not restricted, the risk will be too high and the maritime industry cannot exist. It is reported that with the advancing of the trial procedures locally, the upper limit this time is about 2 billion yen, which is expected to be covered by insurance.
However, there are coral reefs around the scene of the incident, which is an area favored by tourists and various creatures. The amount of damage identified may exceed 2 billion yen. It seems difficult to compensate for all the damage. If the amount of compensation is insufficient, the restoration of local economic and environmental damages that rely on tourism as the mainstay may be delayed.