Archive · 23 Sep 2025
Singapore Firm Refuses to Pay $1 Billion Pollution Fine by Sri Lanka Court
A shipping company, X-Press Feeders, is refusing to pay a $1 billion fine to Sri Lanka's government.
The fine is due to a ship they owned, the MV X-Press Pearl, sinking off the coast in 2021, causing a big pollution problem.
The ship carried dangerous materials that leaked into the ocean.
Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ordered the fine.
However, X-Press Feeders argues this breaks international rules and sets a bad example for how similar incidents are handled.
They believe it could lead to higher costs for everyone.
The company has already spent $170 million to clean up and compensate for the damage.
A Singapore shipping company is refusing to pay a $1 billion fine ordered by a Sri Lankan court.
The fine relates to the sinking of the MV X-Press Pearl off Colombo in 2021, which caused environmental damage.
The ship carried hazardous goods, including acids and plastic pellets.
The company argues the open-ended nature of the fine sets a dangerous precedent for maritime liability.
Sri Lanka’s government will seek advice from the attorney general on how to proceed.
- Who
- X-Press Feeders, Sri Lankan government
- What
- X-Press Feeders refusing to pay a $1 billion fine imposed by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court related to the MV X-Press Pearl disaster.
- When
- The Supreme Court ordered the fine in July. The first payment of $250 million was due Tuesday.
- Where
- Off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- X-Press Feeders believes the open-ended penalty sets a dangerous precedent.
Sri Lankan Government/UN
X-Press Feeders
Liability and Compensation
Sri Lankan Government/UN
Supports the "polluter pays" principle; Supreme Court ruling seen as a step towards justice and accountability, demanding full compensation.
X-Press Feeders
Believes the fine sets a dangerous precedent, undermining limitations of liability in maritime trade, and is unwilling to pay the open-ended fine.
- Company
- X-Press Feeders
- Incident
- MV X-Press Pearl sinking
- Location
- Off Colombo Port, Sri Lanka
- Date of Sinking
- June 2021
- Hazardous Cargo
- Acids, lead ingots, plastic pellets
- Fine Amount
- $1 billion
- Initial Payment Due
- $250 million