Doris Leblond
OGJ Correspondent
PARIS, Jan. 28 -- Total SA said it will appeal the Jan. 16 Paris Criminal Court verdict concerning the sinking of the Erika tanker off Brittany. The vessel, which was chartered by Total, sank in December 1999 and polluted the coastline with 20,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil.
Total did not dispute, however, the €375,000 fine to compensate the victims for "ecological damage" of the pollution. In a press release, Total said it would ensure payments were made "immediately" and are "full and final whatever the result of the appeal."
Total said it has already spent €200 million in cleaning efforts. Total is disputing is the part of the verdict requiring it to pay €192 million in damages for causing the ship to sink. The court said these damages were caused "through lack of care during the tanker-selection process." Total said it was misled by the certification company, Rena, on the tanker's true condition.
"Total is merely a user of ships. It is not its role or its business to act as a substitute for inspection companies and classification societies, the ship owners, or the flag state," the company said.
Christophe de Margerie, Total chief executive officer, said, "We are not happy to appeal. This judgement is aimed at 'the deep pockets'...but in no way does it contribute to rendering the whole maritime chain more responsible."
