The port of New Orleans has initiated legal action against the owner and operator of the Atlantic Asphalt, a tanker involved in a collision with a stationary cruise ship on the Mississippi River last Friday. Port officials are seeking more than $1 million in damages, alleging that the incident caused extensive destruction to the Thalia Street terminal.
In a rapid response to the event, the board of commissioners of the port of New Orleans secured a federal court order on Friday to seize the Atlantic Asphalt. Judge Wendy Vitter approved the request, which allows the port to hold and potentially sell the vessel to recover costs associated with repair, cleanup operations, inspections, and other expenses resulting from the collision.
The lawsuit identifies the defendants as the tanker itself, its owner Nave Shipping SA, and its management company, Thome Ship Management. According to court filings, the collision occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday while passengers were disembarking from the American Heritage cruise ship at the port. The force of the impact caused the cruise vessel to tilt onto its side, resulting in injuries to more than 30 people. Emergency responders were credited with a successful, urgent operation to rescue those who ended up in the water.
The legal complaint alleges that the crash was an "allision" caused by the negligence, fault, or carelessness of the tanker's crew and operators. The port further argues that the vessel and its management team failed to comply with safety requirements and did not implement necessary precautions to avoid hitting the stationary cruise ship. The port maintains it bears no responsibility for the incident and indicated that the total damages sought could increase as further investigations reveal the full scope of the destruction.
Mayor Helena Moreno praised the emergency response as a "miracle on the Mississippi," noting that all 197 passengers aboard the American Heritage were accounted for, with no reported deaths or critical injuries. Port officials have signaled that additional defendants could be named as the case proceeds through federal court.
