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US Court Dismisses Spanish Govt. Blame for Prestige Oil Spill |
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A US court hearing a case brought by Spain against the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has thrown out a counter claim that Madrid mishandled the 2002 sinking of the Prestige oil tanker in its waters.
The US District Court for the southern district of New York ruled it did not have jurisdiction to hear a case against the Spanish state, according to a copy of the ruling, dated Aug 3.
Spain sued the ABS last year, accusing the bureau of negligence for classifying the Prestige as seaworthy in May 2002.
The 26-year-old single-hulled tanker subsequently foundered and broke up in rough seas off the northwestern region of Galicia in November 2002 carrying 77,000 tonnes of fuel oil.
In response to the suit, ABS presented a counter claim that Madrid had mishandled the disaster by ordering the Liberian-flagged tanker out to sea despite repeated distress calls and requests to enter a place of refuge on the Spanish coast.
In Spain's worst environmental disaster, the Prestige disgorged thousands of tonnes of foul-smelling fuel over pristine beaches and coves. |
