Sweden has received compensation for the Swedish Coast Guard’s environmental rescue work after the grounding and resulting oil spill of the ferry Marco Polo. About EUR 3.3 million (SEK 35.6 million) has been paid out by the ship’s insurance company.
The Swedish Coast Guard‘s compensation claim covers the authority’s efforts, certain preparedness with vessels, and costs for other equipment and personnel. For this, the party responsible for the damage, that is, the owner and their insurance company, will compensate Sweden. The compensation will be paid directly to the Treasury.
‘There is a lot at stake when oil reaches the sea. The fact that the state, and thus taxpayers, receive compensation is in accordance with international regulations. Damage to the environment comes at a high price, and it is important that the costs are visible,’ says Nina Andersson, head of the Swedish Coast Guard’s legal unit.
Also read: Smit successfully refloats ferry Marco Polo
Marco Polo grounding
On Sunday, 22 October 2023, TT-Line’s passenger ship Marco Polo ran aground in Pukaviksbukten off the coast of Blekinge. It was finally refloated on Friday, 9 November, to go to a shipyard in Poland.
At least 60,000 litres of oil leaked into the sea after the vessel grounded, which marked the start of an environmental rescue operation that lasted nineteen days. A total of around 75 people from the Coast Guard were on site during the operation, including rescue divers for light and heavy diving in contaminated water. A total of around 4 kilometres of booms were laid out.
The efforts were carried out in collaboration with, among others, the Blekinge County Administrative Board, Sölvesborg Municipality, Karlshamn Municipality, the Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS), the Western Blekinge Rescue Service, the Home Guard and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB).
Also read: Grounded ferry Marco Polo leaks more oil
TT-Line appeals pollution fee
The decided water pollution fee of SEK 1.4 million/EUR 129,000 (according to the Act on Measures against Pollution from Ships, based on the ship’s gross tonnage and the amount of oil spilled) has been appealed by TT-Line to the Stockholm District Court.
Picture: Swedish Coast Guard vessel collecting oil (photo by the Swedish Coast Guard).
