The “Prestige” case twenty years on
On 13 November 2002, it was twenty years since the Prestige sent out its first distress call while sailing off the Galician coast, loaded with approximately 77,000 tonnes of crude oil on board. This first call led, six days later, to the ecological disaster that resulted in the sinking of the Prestige and the consequent spillage of part of its cargo into the sea (63,200 tonnes).
The IOPC Fund (International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund), an intergovernmental body set up under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to promote adequate compensation for those affected by oil spills and the economic damage they cause, takes part in these situations. Spain is a State Party and a member of the IOPC Fund.
Specifically, in the “PRESTIGE” case, the IOPC Fund had 147.9 million euros at its disposal to deal with the incident.
Since its inception, the team of lawyers of AIYON ABOGADOS S.L.P. has advised the IOPC Fund in the “PRESTIGE” case which was prosecuted in Spain, and our partners Mikel Garteiz-goxeaskoa and Verónica Meana are currently in charge of this advice.
Among other national and international publications, the national newspaper “La Razón” has echoed this news by publishing on 13 November a comprehensive article entitled “Prestige: caso abierto 20 años después” (Prestige: open case 20 years later).
