The Sri Lankan Supreme Court announced on 24 Jul 2025 for all non-state parties to make an initial payment amounting to USD $1bn with a first instalment on 23 Sep 2025. 

 

X-Press Feeders and our insurers carefully considered the July ruling of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and were unable to make the initial payment because liability is not accepted and the ruling leaves open the possibility of additional and potentially unlimited compensation orders.  

 

As for the amount of compensation, we have sought expert opinion on the ruling and believe that the judgment relies heavily on a flawed environmental damage report produced by the government's environmental body, MEPA, which lacks scientific rigour and specificity. The Sri Lankan government itself has questioned this report in open court proceedings, and international scientific experts have criticised it as inconsistent and unreliable.

 

The Court reached its decision without hearing expert testimony or allowing cross-examination of any witness of fact. This is all despite the Sri Lankan government having previously signed an agreement designating the Singapore International Commercial Court as the agreed forum for the claims they have against the Owners of the vessel. 

 

To date, we have acted responsibly and ethically, having already paid over USD 170 million towards wreck removal, environmental remediation, and compensation claims. We remain open to direct dialogue with the relevant Sri Lankan authorities and have been actively seeking to engage with their representatives, and we are focused on ensuring evidence-based, fair, proportionate compensation that is consistent with international practice and reaches those genuinely affected.