KARACHI, Sept 8: The compensation of US$1 billion claimed by the Karachi Port Trust as against the damage caused by the broken oil tanker, Tasman Spirit, to the Karachi coastline is absolutely inadequate.

This was stated by Dr Richard Steiner, a professor at Marine Advisory Programme, Alaska University, who is an expert in oil spill restoration planning. He was talking to newsmen at the programme office of the IUCN’s Sindh chapter here on Monday.

“The amount claimed by the KPT as compensation from the vessel’s owners is nothing, It’s just a slap on the wrist of the insurers,” he remarked.

He advised the government to a claim reasonable amount for the havoc the spillage played with the city’s coast.

The expert, holding the vessel-owners responsible for the devastation said that they were morally and legally under obligation to avoid the spillage.

In this regard, Dr Steiner also suggested that the KPT might also update its rules and regulations making them more stringent so as to prohibiting entry of obsolete vessels, especially those carrying hazardous cargo such as oil, chemicals, etc., during a particular period of time.

He described the mishap as ‘outrageous’ saying that such a disasters could not happen in some developed countries.

He pointed out that in spite of the payment of US$20 billion by the Exxon, responsible for Alaska disaster which is regarded as the world’s worst ever oil spillage incident that took place some 15 years back, a significant amount of oil still prevailed there.

In reply to a question, the expert emphasized on measures for a broad survey of the affected and vulnerable population, pointed out that marine life had severely been affected in Alaska incident and that thousands of varied fish species, seagulls, etc., emerged dead with the passage of time.

“But of greater concern was and still is the ingested oil in marine life,” he said mentioning that food chain system if polluted might also affect liver enzymes ultimately leading to ‘hepatic liver’.

Dr Steiner said that there had also been genetic impact on the reproductive system of whales and seals found on the Alaska site.

He observed that Pakistan’s claim for compensation would have immensely strengthened had it been signatory to the international conventions like International Maritime Organization Convention (IMOC), Civil Liability Convention (CLC), International Pollution Control Convention (IPCC) etc. This would also have ensured a timely inception of an adequate restoration work at the site, he added.

Dr Steiner was of the view that the existent scenario might help the culprits to avoid or at least delay payment for the mess they had made by compromising against the marine life, specific bio-diversity and possibly even the public health.

In addition of the IMOC, none of the nations have gone unanimously against the violators of global maritime rules, the expert remarked.

With regard to the extent of the coastal appraisal, he said it might come up to US$700 million and must be procured from the spillers or otherwise to avoid the possible damage, due to any delay, might be secured from any financial body.

Karachi port may be given a highly efficient system through proper cleaning-up exercise aimed at protecting its coastal ecosystem by offsetting all detriments, he opined mentioning that the funds for the cleaning-up activity and subsequent monitoring and measures might further be required.—APP