New Orleans Port Sues Tanker Owners After Cruise Ship Collision

The Port of New Orleans has filed a federal lawsuit seeking over one million dollars in damages and the seizure of a cargo vessel following a collision with a docked cruise ship.

The Collision And Rescue

The crash happened on Friday afternoon when the cargo vessel Atlantic Asphalt hit the paddlewheel cruise ship American Heritage while it was docked. The impact left the riverboat on its side and partially submerged in the Mississippi River. More than 100 passengers were rescued from the water, and 32 people were taken to the hospital with non-critical injuries. Officials confirmed that no one was unaccounted for after the incident.

The Lawsuit And Investigation

Filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana, the lawsuit names the tanker, its owner Nave Shipping SA, and its management company Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd. The port claims the tanker is at fault due to negligence, gross negligence, or carelessness, and asks that the vessel be sold to pay for clean-up, repairs, and inspections. US Coast Guard Captain Melanie Burnham stated that there appears to have been a loss of steering. The National Transportation Safety Board recovered the ship's data recorder, with a preliminary report expected in 30 days and a final report taking up to two years.

Context

Major commercial waterways like the Mississippi River handle heavy traffic from both cargo ships and passenger vessels, requiring strict navigation and steering controls. When collisions occur in such busy ports, federal maritime courts often handle complex liability claims involving international ship owners and management firms.