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Port of New Orleans sues tanker owners over $1 million collision damage

The Port of New Orleans has filed a federal lawsuit against the owners and managers of the Atlantic Asphalt tanker after it struck the docked American Heritage riverboat, seeking more than $1 million in damages.

By Hermes Vector

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Illustration for: Port of New Orleans sues tanker owners over $1 million collision damage

In brief

  • The Port of New Orleans filed a $1 million federal lawsuit against the owners and managers of the tanker Atlantic Asphalt.
  • The tanker struck the docked cruise ship American Heritage on Nov. 13, 2026, causing it to capsize and partially sink.
  • About 129 passengers were aboard the riverboat; 32 were hospitalized with non-critical injuries and all were accounted for.
  • The lawsuit alleges negligence and seeks seizure and sale of the tanker to cover cleanup, inspection, repair and salvage costs.

Port of New Orleans sues tanker owners over $1 million collision damage

The Port of New Orleans has filed a federal lawsuit against the owners and managers of the tanker Atlantic Asphalt after it collided with the docked cruise ship American Heritage on the Mississippi River on Friday.

The lawsuit, filed Friday evening in the Eastern District of Louisiana, names the tanker, its owner Nave Shipping SA, and its management company Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd. as defendants. The port is seeking more than $1 million in damages to its Thalia Street Terminal.

The collision

The Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with the American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage on Nov. 13, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. on the Mississippi River at the Port of New Orleans. The tanker veered to the right, striking the docked river cruise ship, causing it to capsize and partially sink.

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. US Coast Guard Capt Melanie Burnham said: "There seems to be some type of a loss of steering."

Passengers and injuries

There were about 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, on the American Heritage at the time of the collision, according to the port authority. Authorities said all were rescued safely, with 32 requiring hospital treatment. No one was unaccounted for and there were no fatalities or critical injuries reported.

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno called the rescue of passengers "a miracle on the Mississippi."

The lawsuit

The lawsuit alleges that the collision "occurred as a result of the negligence, gross negligence, fault or carelessness" of the ship and operating companies. It also alleges that the tanker and companies failed "to use all available means to avoid the risk" of colliding with the riverboat.

The lawsuit requests that the tanker be seized and sold to pay for the damage. U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter approved the port's request Friday to seize the tanker, which could be sold to help cover the damages.

The lawsuit says the port terminal "was significantly damaged" in the incident. The port is looking for money to cover cleanup, inspections, repairs and other expenses.

Thome Ship Management said in a statement on Saturday that the crew of the Atlantic Asphalt were safe and accounted for. "OSM Thome is fully complying with the local authorities as they carry out the necessary investigations," it said.

Nave Shipping is a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. BBC has contacted the China State Shipbuilding Corporation for comment.

Why it matters

The lawsuit marks the first major legal action following the collision, with the port seeking to recover cleanup, inspection, repair and salvage costs. The tanker has been towed from the crash site and is moored at the Perry Street Wharf on the west bank in Gretna. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.

Questions readers ask

Who is the Port of New Orleans suing and why?
The Port of New Orleans is suing the owners and managers of the tanker Atlantic Asphalt, specifically Nave Shipping SA and Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd, for more than $1 million in damages to its Thalia Street Terminal.
When and where did the collision occur?
The collision happened on Nov. 13, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. on the Mississippi River at the Port of New Orleans.
What were the injuries and casualties from the crash?
All 129 passengers and crew members were rescued safely, with 32 requiring hospital treatment, and there were no fatalities or critical injuries reported.
What legal actions have been taken regarding the tanker?
U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter approved the port's request to seize the tanker, which could be sold to help cover the damages.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, with US Coast Guard Capt Melanie Burnham stating there seems to be some type of a loss of steering.

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