French Court rejects Prestige claims against ABS

French Court rejects Prestige claims against ABS    The Rochefort High Court in France has dismissed an attempt by two unions of French oyster producers to recover up to 10 million euro in damages from parties involved in the loss of the tanker Prestige in 2002, including the American Bureau of Shipping and the government of Spain.
   The oystermen were joined in their suit by a maritime union called Le Syndicat pour l'Assainissement du Monde Maritime.
   ABS said the oyster beds suffered no physical damage and that the producers sued for compensation for claimed damage to their business and reputation. In a jurisdictional ruling, the court found the claimants lacked standing and that the writs were time barred as they were filed more than three years after the alleged damage occurred.
   ABS said the court ordered the plaintiffs to contribute towards the costs incurred by ABS, and the other parties, in defending themselves against the claim.
   The Prestige was a Greek-operated, single-hulled oil tanker, registered in the Bahamas. The ship broke up off the coast of Galacia in November 2002 after being refused refuge in European ports.