The estimated cost of the damage caused by South Korea's worst oil spill currently stands at some $554 million (573.5 billion won), a local government official said Thursday.
Miles of beach were polluted following a spill of almost 11,000 metric tonnes of crude oil from the 147,000-tonne, single-hulled oil tanker Hebei Spirit last December.
The Hong Kong-registered tanker had collided with a crane-carrying barge in rough seas about five nautical miles off the port of Taean, South Chungcheong province. The collision punctured one of the tanker's cargo tanks, spilling crude oil into the sea.
According to the official, the estimate was provided by the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF).
The IOPCF is an association of three inter-governmental organisations, which provide compensation for oil damage resulting from tanker spills.
"Business activities (in Taean) have yet to normalize, and with consumer trust in Taean's seafood products having decreased, there are likely to be less visitors," the official told Yonhap News Agency.
Earlier this week, two South Korean captains of the tugs towing the crane barge were sentenced to jail for their part in the oil spill.
Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., owners of the crane barge, were fined the maximum $29,120 (30 million won).
The master and chief officer of the Hebei Spirit were cleared of wrongdoing. Hebei Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd (HOSCO), owners of the Hebei Spirit, were also acquitted of all criminal charges.
Miles of beach were polluted following a spill of almost 11,000 metric tonnes of crude oil from the 147,000-tonne, single-hulled oil tanker Hebei Spirit last December.
The Hong Kong-registered tanker had collided with a crane-carrying barge in rough seas about five nautical miles off the port of Taean, South Chungcheong province. The collision punctured one of the tanker's cargo tanks, spilling crude oil into the sea.
According to the official, the estimate was provided by the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPCF).
The IOPCF is an association of three inter-governmental organisations, which provide compensation for oil damage resulting from tanker spills.
"Business activities (in Taean) have yet to normalize, and with consumer trust in Taean's seafood products having decreased, there are likely to be less visitors," the official told Yonhap News Agency.
Earlier this week, two South Korean captains of the tugs towing the crane barge were sentenced to jail for their part in the oil spill.
Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., owners of the crane barge, were fined the maximum $29,120 (30 million won).
The master and chief officer of the Hebei Spirit were cleared of wrongdoing. Hebei Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd (HOSCO), owners of the Hebei Spirit, were also acquitted of all criminal charges.