Trial begins for 1999 Erika oil spill

Feb. 13, 2007
Seven years after the Erika oil tanker spill off Brittany's Penmarc'h point, Dec. 12, 1999, which polluted 400 km of France's Brittany coastline, 15 accused are facing a trial that began Feb. 12 and is due to last until June 13.

Doris Leblond
OGJ Correspondent

PARIS, Feb. 13 -- Seven years after the Erika oil tanker spill off Brittany's Penmarc'h point, Dec. 12, 1999, which polluted 400 km of France's Brittany coastline, 15 accused are facing a trial that began Feb. 12 and is due to last until June 13. It is expected to cost €600,000 (OGJ, Feb. 13, 2006, Newsletter).

There are 70 parties involved in the case ranging from local Brittany administrations and associations to Italian and Greek ship owners and environmental activists and associations clamoring for more-drastic maritime security and transparency.

Total SA is the focus of the trial because the company chartered the vessel, which was carrying 30,884 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and broke in two during a storm, releasing 20,000 tonnes of fuel. Total was indicted Nov. 7, 2001.

Total already has spent €200 million to pump out the fuel in the wreck, to treat 220,000 tonnes of polluted sand, and to clean up the coast.

Victims of the spill have obtained €118 million from the Oil Pollution Compensation Fund and should receive an additional €40 million when all claims have been dealt with. But damages claimed amount to practically €1 billion.

The trial also will bring to light the complexities and shortcomings of maritime transport embroiled in the mix of insurers, ship owners and charterers, convenience flags, negligent certification companies, and poor managers.

Although certified seaworthy, the 25-year-old tanker had changed its name and owner eight times, its classification company four times, and its flag three times, and had been poorly patched and maintained. The Erika, together with the Prestige off Spain 2 years later, was instrumental in inducing the European Union to establish stricter rules for tanker age and construction.

It is hoped that the trial will work out the responsibilities of each accused at every stage of the Erika saga.