KARACHI, Aug 19: In view of the widespread environmental damage caused by the Tasman Spirit, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided to double the number of its representatives in Pakistan.

One of its representatives is already in Pakistan. Its second representative reached Pakistan on Tuesday, confirmed Yahya Usmani, the KPT’s Pollution Control Manager.

The two-member team would advise Pakistani authorities on matters pertaining to the salvage operation, including recovery of cargo and containment techniques, coordination of the clean-up operations, damage assessment and preparation of claims.

Meanwhile, in response to a questionnaire that was sent by Dawn to the IMO headquarters in London, its External Affairs Officer Natasha Brown said that owners of the Tasman Spirit were liable to pay compensation for the oil spill caused by it.

Ms Brown stated, “The owner is liable under the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage.” She elaborated that the owner was liable for an amount “limited to three million SDR (around US$3.8 million) plus 420 SDR (US$537.6) for each gross tonne over 5,000 tonnes”.

Asked to quantify the compensation in dollars, the IMO official stated, “That will depend on the claims submitted. So we cannot say. This will be assessed by the people involved.”

The International Maritime Organization is a United Nations specialized agency aimed at improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships. Its mission statement is: “Safer shipping, cleaner oceans”. Pakistan joined the organization in the year 1958.

The oil spill caused by the breakage of the Tasman Spirit is being considered as a major one. According to the International Tankers Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), oil spills are classified in terms of size. There are three categories in all. The first category involves the spillage of less than seven tonnes. Second category involves oil spills from seven to 700 tonnes. Third category includes spillage of more than 700 tonnes.

The authorities concerned agree that the Tasman Spirit has already spilt thousands of tonnes. And there is a danger that it may spill more in future. Therefore, it is being categorized as a major spill.