Business owners plan class action over Rena spill

8:10 pm on 1 March 2012

A group of Bay of Plenty businesses is considering a class action lawsuit in Europe against the owners of the cargo ship Rena.

The businesses say their livelihoods were affected after the container ship ran aground off Tauranga coast on 5 October, spilling hundreds of tonnes oil and cargo into the sea.

About 20 businesses want compensation from the ship's owner, Costamare, for the losses they have incurred.

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A lawyer for the group, Robert Makgill, says there is a mix of legal options available at the moment.

"The first port of call would be in New Zealand, but we are also awaiting advice about the chances of success in a jurisdiction outside New Zealand to get around the statutory limit on liability."

On Wednesday, the captain of the Rena pleaded guilty at Tauranga District Court to all charges against him.