Singapore ship’s owners ordered to pay Sri Lanka US$1 billion over plastic spill
The MV X-Press Pearl, which was carrying chemicals, sank after catching fire in 2021. The disaster led to the death of numerous marine species
Judges said the disaster led to the death of 417 turtles, 48 dolphins, eight whales and numerous fish species that washed ashore after the incident. Debris from the ship, including several tonnes of plastic pellets used to make plastic bags, caused severe pollution on beaches.
“This marine environmental disaster constitutes the largest recorded marine plastic spill in the world,” the judgment said. “It resulted in the widespread release of toxic and hazardous substances into the marine environment, poisoning ocean waters, killing marine species, and destructing phytoplankton.”
Due to the severe marine pollution, the government imposed a fishing ban for well over a year, depriving fishermen of their income and livelihood.
The incident “continues to cause destruction and harm to Sri Lanka’s marine environment,” said the judgement signed by five Supreme Court judges.