The city of Los Angeles is suing the owner, operator and charterer of the car carrier Istra Ace over a 2016 bunker spill that covered 70 acres of water and took two weeks to remediate.
The city alleges that shipowner Istra Maritime, operator Stamco Ship Management and charterer Mitsui OSK are liable for the spill under state fish and game laws. A Coast Guard investigation concluded that the spill was caused by faulty piping on board the Ace.
The 265-barrel spill occurred at Berth 198 in the Port of Los Angeles’ Cerritos Channel. A safety zone was closed to marine traffic for days while cleanup work proceeded, and a nearby drawbridge’s operations were suspended, blocking larger vessels.
