Firm that loaded toxic cargo in ‘Princess’ sued

MANILA, Philippines - Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of MV Princess of the Stars that capsized off Romblon last June, on Thursday sued the air-and-sea freight services firm that loaded the toxic endosulfan cargo to the ill-fated passenger vessel. In an amended complaint, the shipping firm said Ceva Logistics Inc. did not inform them of the nature of the cargo, which it said is in violation of their contractual and legal agreement. This made Ceva a co-defendant in the P5.5-million damage suit that Sulpicio Lines had filed against food conglomerate Del Monte Philippines, the consignee of the toxic endosulfan cargo. Ceva is the independent contractor hired by Del Monte for the transhipment of the cargo to Cagayan de Oro. The chemical will be used for its pineapple plantation. The case is lodged before the Manila regional trial court. Sulpicio Lines’ counsel Arthur Lim said Ceva acted negligently in filling up the Pro-forma Bill of Lading and acted recklessly and with gross imprudence by not declaring the toxic cargo. He also said Ceva acted with utter disregard for the safety rules for knowingly boarding a hazardous and toxic cargo for carriage by a passenger-cargo vessel. “All evidence point to Ceva’s gross and evident bad faith, lack of care, irresponsibility and total disregard to safety and well-being of others,” the amended complaint said. The shipping company claimed that it did not know endosulfan was toxic and considered a marine pollutant, and was only informed by Del Monte when it received a letter from the food company on June 25. “Had the cargo been properly declared, plaintiff would have loaded it in one of its purely cargo vessel,” the complaint said. The discovery of the endosulfan cargo inside the MV Princess of the Stars, which sank June 21 at the height of typhoon “Frank,” prompted authorities to stop rescue operations for the sunken vessel’s more than 800 passengers and crewmembers. It also resulted to a fishing ban in the waters of Romblon, which affected the livelihood of many residents. Meanwhile, lawyer Raul dela Cruz, clerk of court, said they will hear the case Monday to decide if the shipping firm can include Ceva in its amended complaint. “The court will decide on Monday whether it will admit the motion or not. If it denies the motion, then Ceva will not be included in the complaint anymore,” he said. - GMANews.TV