NSW: Shell says wait until investigation to decide liability

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-1999
NSW: Shell says wait until investigation to decide liability

Shell Australia says responsibility for the oil spill in Sydney Harbour will be determined
by current investigations which have the company's full cooperation.

A massive clean-up operation is underway today after thousands of litres of crude oil
spilled from the tanker LAURA D'AMATO at Shell's Gore Bay terminal last night.

Shell Australia spokesman DOUG HYDE says the company has launched its own investigation
into the incident, and will help the Environment Protection Authority and Ports Authority
which are conducting their own inquiries.

Mr HYDE says preliminary investigations have shown the crude oil leaked from the Italian
ship Shell had chartered.

He's told ABC radio it appears the oil leaked off the ship and not during the transfer
operation to the shore.

He says Shell will have to work through the investigation and determine the liability after
the investigations are complete.

AAP RTV km/sb/lm

KEYWORD: TANKER SHELL (SYDNEY)

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