Mitsui OSK to spend $9.4 mil on Mauritius clean-up after fuel spill

Apologies simply don’t cut it, this is not in Japan. The sum offered is derisory; for the sake of the Mauritian people I hope their government are not so cheaply bought.

Mitsui OSK to spend $9.4 mil on Mauritius clean-up after fuel spill

That should cover half of the spill. Now, they can start coughing up money for environmental damage and compensation.

Not nearly enough.

On August 24th the forward section of the vessel was scuttled.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/08/25/dramatic-photos-show-wakashio-being-deliberately-sunk-as-mystery-continues-over-final-location/#1b229a1e3bea

The aft section with the remaining was still stuck fast as of early September.

According to this article "More than 1,000 tons of oil is believed to have leaked from the ship, with the rest siphoned out before it spilled."

So we can expect to further major spills.

As for compensation, that is what marine insurance is for.

gary

Mauritius is the 56 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries, according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International.

So the drunkard Indian captain and his irresponsible crew are not being punished?

Mitsui OSK Lines said in a statement that it planned "to contribute a total fund of about one billion Japanese yen over several years to support measures" to restore the marine environment.

Um Over several years....I smell rotten fish.

Can be 30, 40, 50 years.

Isn't the decimal point in the wrong place ?

Even at cheaper Indian Ocean labor rates for the actual cleanup efforts, $9M will not repair the long-term damage. Much more will be needed. In addition, there should be some economic compensation for all the inhabitants whose livelihoods in the fishing and tourist industries will be adversely impacted for many years.

Imagine if they dedicated half that amount in the first days instead of waiting weeks to move.

Recovery work is a slow process. Is better to build a working relationship with Mauritius then to immediately give them all the money. Otherwise huge corruption is gonna happen.

At least the company is willing to compensate them that much given that it was the crew fault and insurance should have cover the risk and the ship was registered in Panama. Pretty sure this compensation already cripple their company for at least a few years. Plus i am pretty sure there is no way Mitsui OSk can caught up that much cash in a short time anyway.

Hope Japan itself will also work closely with Mauritius and rebuild their good relation by sending aids and equipments.