KARACHI, Sept 1: Port authorities on Monday brought a suit against the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation claiming damages of up to $1 billion while the PNSC has in turn sued the vessel’s owner.

The PNSC is being sued for being the principal charter agent of the oil tanker Tasman Spirit that caused an oil spill of over 28,000 tonnes off Karachi port entrance.

Claims made by other departments, including the fisheries department and the Environmental Protection Agency, would also be taken up by the PNSC.

Minister for Communications Ahmed Ali, while speaking at a news conference here, expressed the confidence that the remaining oil in the tanker will be siphoned off by Monday evening, adding that the lighterage operation accounted for 37,000 tonnes of crude oil, making the oil spillage of around 28,000 tonnes. The tanker was carrying a cargo of 67,5000 tonnes of crude oil.

After the lighterage operation, the minister said, the focus would be on beach cleaning and the lengthy legal battle with owners of the ship and their agents, the minister said.

The oil spill, which occurred about a week ago, has been termed by environmental experts as being the worst-ever ecological disaster to hit the country.

“We are drawn into a long, technical and legal battle” with the owner of the MV Tasman Spirit, Transport Minister Ahmed Ali said.

He said that the PNSC had been asked to take up the matter with the owners, adding that the PNSC would lodge the claim for all pollution and damages.Salvager say a mere 1,000 tonnes is left on the ship.

“A colossal damage to the environment has been done and the Karachi Port Trust and the shores are facing the worst disaster (of this kind),” he said. “We were not well prepared for such a big disaster and we are still looking ahead for what is to be done,” provincial environment minister Faisal Gabol said.—PPI/AFP