Spain will appeal a US federal court decision dismissing its damage claims against a US ship inspection organization, which Madrid accuses of contributing to one of the world's worst recent oil disasters, Spanish media reported Friday. The Spanish Justice Ministry said it would appeal the decision of US judge Laura Swain who ruled on Wednesday that Spain must pursue its claims against the American Bureau of Shipping in its own courts. Spain is seeking 1 billion dollars in damages for the oil disaster caused in 2002 by the Bahama - flagged Greek tanker Prestige, which spilled most of its cargo of 77,000 tons off Galicia in the north- west.
Six months earlier, the American Bureau of Shipping had certified the 26-year-old tanker as fit to sail.
The US court did not dispute Spain's stance that the disaster was caused by the deteriorated condition of the tanker, Spanish government sources said.
The American Bureau of Shipping had argued that Spain caused the oil spill by towing the leaking tanker out to the open sea, where it sank.
The spill was Spain's worst oil disaster, polluting the coastline, damaging fishing, tourism and the marine environment.
The Spanish government intended to use all means at its disposal to obtain damages, according to the daily El Pais.
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