The captain of the Vietnamese cargo ship, which ran aground in Fuvahmulah in August, stated that the maximum compensation they can pay for damages caused to the reef is USD 1.8 million (MVR 27.7 million).
Transport Authority’s chairman Abdul Rasheed Naafiz confirmed on Wednesday that the compensation settled by MV NGOC Son is the maximum amount they can afford.
However, the government is yet to make a decision regarding the proposed amount, he said.
MV NGOC Son ran aground on the reef to the south of Fuvahmulah while carrying water and sewerage material to the island for Sri Lankan contractor Sierra. A Singaporean salvage company had been hired to re-float the vessel which was forced to dump over 5,000 tonnes of construction sand and gravel to lighten the ship.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) had earlier this month estimated the consequent damages to the reef amounted to MVR 633.7 million after thorough evaluation and assessment.
The cargo vessel, which had taken a month to be re-floated, was being tugged to Sri Lankan capital Colombo for repairs when it had capsized en route.
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