Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot urges Evergreen to start a $100m responsibility fund for any economic or environmental impact caused by the Ever Forward’s grounding at Chesapeake Bay.
As informed, Peter Franchot sent a letter to Benjamin Tsai, the president of Evergreen Shipping Agency Corporation, writing that whole situation has already damaged the environment and could lead to even more damage in the following days.
To remind, the Ever Forward containership was successfully refloated on Sunday, 17 April 2022, from the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay more than a month after it ran aground.
While we do not know the full scope of the environmental impact thus far, a 131,420-ton ship, carrying tons of cargo and fuel, getting stuck in our waters undoubtedly has resulted in disruptions to the Bay’s fragile ecosystem
…Franchot wrote.
While this may have been a necessary action, among its potential consequences include damage to oyster beds and disruptions to the spawning season for several species that our seafood industry — already struggling economically due to labor shortages — will harvest in the coming months
…Franchot said.
For Franchot, the big concern is the danger of a hull breach that could send oil into the bay.
The damage that this incident has already caused — and could potentially continue to cause — will require financial resources to correct
…Franchot continued.
The responsibility fund that Franchot calls for, will be used for compensating workers in the seafood industry if they are impacted, and paying the cost of labor for employees from federal, state and local agencies involved in refloating the ship.
The establishment of this fund will send a clear message that Evergreen is a good faith actor; understands the environmental and economic damage this incident has caused to the state of Maryland
…Franchot said.
