Environmental toll from Mauritius oil spill to last decades

Japanese ship owner to pay for damages suffered by tourism-reliant nation

A drone image shows the oil spillage near the area where the bulk carrier ship MV Wakashio ran aground on a reef, at Riviere des Creoles, Mauritius. © Reuters

KEIGO YOSHIDA and MOMOKO KIDERA, Nikkei staff writers

August 15, 2020 00:57 JST

TOKYO/ISTANBUL -- The massive oil spill along the coast of Mauritius, caused by a grounded Japanese-owned ship, will likely leave environmental damage lasting for decades, exacting a heavy economic toll on an island nation dependent on tourism.

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has pledged to seek damages and Nagashiki Shipping, the Japanese owner of the bulk carrier ship Wakashio, has signaled that it will comply.