Singapore-based X-Press Feeders, former operator of the container ship X-Press Pearl, has said it cannot comply at this stage with the July ruling of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, which requires an initial payment of USD 250 million on 23 September 2025 as part of an interim USD 1 billion order, according to the company’s release.
The company stated it is continuing to seek engagement with the Sri Lankan authorities.
“While we respect the judicial process, the ruling leaves open the possibility of additional and potentially unlimited compensation. Any payment towards the judgement could set a dangerous precedent for how maritime incidents will be resolved in the future,” said Shmuel Yoskovitz, Chief Executive Officer of X-Press Feeders. He added that any compensation must be substantiated, proportionate and consistent with international conventions.
X-Press Feeders said that more than USD 170 million has already been paid toward wreck removal, environmental remediation and compensation claims in cooperation with the Sri Lankan government, with international expertise brought in for clean-up operations.
Claims lodged by Sri Lanka and approved by the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation have been settled. The company referred to reports from Sri Lankan parliament proceedings indicating that compensation payments have not reached many affected communities due to domestic delays. It expressed willingness to provide further direct support to community-based projects for fishermen and the marine environment.
X-Press Feeders also raised concern for the vessel’s Master, who has been subject to a court-ordered travel ban preventing him from returning home for more than four years, and for its local agents, who it said continue to face investigations, arrests and court proceedings despite not being decision-makers in the incident. The company called for fair treatment of both the Master and its local agents.
X-Press Feeders is a privately held Singapore-incorporated company founded in 1972. It operates as a common carrier providing feeder shipping services across multiple global regions. The company does not own or lease containers, serving exclusively container operators rather than cargo owners. It manages a fleet of over 100 vessels, calling at more than 180 ports worldwide.
International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1968 under English law. It provides technical expertise on pollution response, environmental damage assessment, and claims arising from oil and chemical spills at sea. Its membership comprises tanker owners and operators worldwide, who finance the federation through contributions.
