Port of New Orleans sues tanker owner for more than $1 million after cruise ship accident

The Port of New Orleans is seeking more than $1 million in damages after an asphalt tanker truck hit a river cruise ship docked on the Mississippi River, with a federal judge allowing the tanker to be seized.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana and obtained by FOX Business, names the tanker Atlantic Asphalt, its owner, Nave Shipping SA, and its management company, Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd.

The port says the collision caused more than $1 million in physical damage to its Thalia Street terminal, where the American Heritage cruise ship was docked Friday afternoon.

The port is also seeking compensation for cleanup, repairs and possible business interruption and loss of revenue.

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First responders are working at the scene of the American Heritage riverboat after it capsized following a collision with the oil tanker Atlantic Asphalt on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans on Friday. (Michael DeMocker/Getty Images/Getty Images)

The complaint accuses the tanker and the companies responsible for its operation of negligence, alleging that they failed to take adequate precautions to avoid the collision.

On Friday, Chief U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter granted the port’s emergency request, finding that the circumstances warranted the rapid arrest of the ship. The court issued a warrant authorizing the seizure of the tanker, although it was not immediately clear whether the warrant had been executed.

The port is also pursuing the potential sale of the tanker to satisfy its financial demands. No sale has been ordered.

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People watch across the Mississippi River as a tugboat stabilizes the riverboat American Heritage after it capsized following a collision with the tanker Atlantic Asphalt near the Port of New Orleans. (Michael DeMocker/Getty Images/Getty Images)

The collision occurred around 12:30 a.m. Friday near the Crescent City Connection Bridge in New Orleans. The tanker appeared to lose steering control before striking the American Heritage, causing the cruise ship to capsize and partially sink.

Thirty-two people were taken to hospital, but no deaths or serious injuries were reported.

The tanker Atlantic Asphalt shows signs of damage after colliding with the riverboat American Heritage on the Mississippi River in New Orleans. (Michael DeMocker/Getty Images/Getty Images)

In a statement Saturday, OSM Thome said the tanker was stable at anchor and that the company was cooperating with authorities investigating the collision.

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Representatives for the Port of New Orleans, OSM Thome, American Cruise Lines and the U.S. Coast Guard did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ requests for comment.