MV Wakashio oil spill (Mauritius)
- The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
The MV Wakashio ran aground off Mauritius in 2020. Its owner sought to cap its liability under the LLMC regime; on 23 February 2026 the Supreme Court of Mauritius refused limitation for oil pollution claims.
About SDR 12.74 million, as stated in a law-firm note; the Supreme Court refused limitation for oil pollution claims on 23 Feb 2026.
Status As of 23 February 2026: the Supreme Court of Mauritius refused limitation for oil pollution claims; the fund amount allowed and any appeal are not known.
What happened
The MV Wakashio ran aground off Mauritius in 2020; the incident is dated 25 July 2020. The registered owner was a subsidiary of a Japanese company; the operator was MOL.
The Wakashio was not a tanker. For fuel spills from ships other than tankers, the research record states that the cap on the shipowner's liability is set by the LLMC limitation regime.
The owner sought a limitation fund of Rs 719.66 million (about SDR 12.74 million).
On 23 February 2026 the Supreme Court of Mauritius refused limitation for oil pollution claims. The record states that the fund amount the court allowed, and any appeal, are not known. The case is recorded as open after more than five years.
- 202025 July: MV Wakashio incident off Mauritius
- 202623 February: Supreme Court of Mauritius refuses limitation for oil pollution claims
What was said
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Sought a limitation fund of Rs 719.66 million (about SDR 12.74 million).
On 23 February 2026 refused limitation for oil pollution claims.
How it looked
Shown
Recorded
- The owner sought a limitation fund of Rs 719.66 million (about SDR 12.74 million).
- The Supreme Court of Mauritius refused limitation for oil pollution claims on 23 February 2026.
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- Wakashio's owner (a subsidiary of a Japanese company): Sought a limitation fund of Rs 719.66 million (about SDR 12.74 million).
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2026-02-23Outcome not on recordMUR 719.66m Limitation fund sought by the owner, Rs million (about SDR 12.74 million)Limitation of liability proceedings, Wakashio fuel-oil spillSupreme Court of Mauritius · Civil · Wakashio's owner (a subsidiary of a Japanese company) → Persons claiming for oil pollution
The owner sought a limitation fund under LLMC. On 23 February 2026 the court refused limitation for oil pollution claims. The fund amount allowed and any appeal are not known.
Insurers
- 2021No policy foundOwner's insurer (not named in the record) → Wakashio's owner
Reported but not independently verified: by November 2021 the insurer had paid about Rs 83 million against about Rs 2 billion in claims from 4,686 people.
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Court
- Unclear Limitation of liability proceedings, Wakashio fuel-oil spill: outcome not on record.
Insurers
- Unclear Owner's insurer (not named in the record): no decision on record.
Figures
- Insufficient Insurance claim: Claims filed by November 2021, reported not independently verified.
- Insufficient Claimants: Number of claimants by November 2021, reported not independently verified.
- Insufficient Insurance paid out: Paid by the insurer by November 2021, reported not independently verified.
- Insufficient Foundation funded: MOL voluntary foundation for mangrove and coral, reported not independently verified.
Accounts
- Disputed Can the owner cap its liability for the oil pollution claims under LLMC?
Record
- None on record The fund amount the court allowed after its 23 February 2026 ruling, and any appeal, are not known.
- Insufficient Reported but not independently verified: by November 2021 about 4,686 people had filed claims of about Rs 2 billion, and the insurer had paid about Rs 83 million.
- Insufficient Reported but not independently verified: MOL set up a voluntary foundation of 800 million yen for mangrove and coral.
- Insufficient Reported but not independently verified: the owner's limit was also expressed as about US$16.6 million.