Japan’s Nagashiki apologises and supports decision to arrest crew after Mauritius oil spill
Japan’s Nagashiki Shipping, the owner of a bulk carrier that ran aground in Mauritius, causing an oil spill in one of the world’s most pristine environments, said Wednesday it awaited judicial decisions after two of the ship’s officers were arrested.
In a statement issued by Nagashiki on Wednesday after the arrest overnight in Mauritius of the captain and of the bulk carrier, MV Wakashio, and another of the ship’s officers on charges of endangering safe navigation. It did not provide further details on the situation in Mauritius beyond saying it would support the crew and their families.
“We sincerely apologize for causing a great deal of inconvenience to everyone involved, including everyone in Mauritius, due to this grounding accident and oil spill,” the statement said.
The MV Wakashio struck a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island on July 25 and began spilling oil on Aug. 6, prompting the government to announce a state of environmental emergency.
Emergency crews removed most of the ship’s remaining oil before it split apart on Saturday.
