The Port of New Orleans is seeking more than $1 million in damages after an asphalt tanker collided with a docked river cruise ship on the Mississippi River, with a federal judge authorizing the tanker's seizure. The lawsuit, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, names the Atlantic Asphalt tanker, its owner Nave Shipping SA, and its management company Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd.
The collision occurred around 12:30 p.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. The port alleges the crash caused more than $1 million in physical damage to its Thalia Street Terminal, where the American Heritage was docked. Thirty-two people were taken to hospitals, though no fatalities or critical injuries were reported.
The port is seeking compensation not only for the direct damage but also for cleanup, repairs and potential business interruption and lost revenue resulting from the collision. The complaint accuses the tanker and the companies responsible for its operation of negligence, alleging they failed to take adequate precautions to avoid the collision. Chief U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter granted the port's emergency request Friday, finding that circumstances warranted the vessel's prompt arrest and issuing a warrant authorizing the tanker's seizure.
The port is also seeking the tanker's potential sale to satisfy its financial claims, though no sale has been ordered. In a statement Saturday, OSM Thome said the tanker was stable at anchor and that the company was cooperating with authorities investigating the collision.
For businesses and individuals relying on Mississippi River shipping and tourism, the collision and resulting legal action highlight operational risks and potential disruptions to port activities and revenue.