U.S. Supreme Court Grants Petition for Certiorari in Oil Spill Case in which ILTA Filed Amicus Brief Requesting That Certiorari Be Granted Jeff Weese / Monday, April 22, 2019 0 2170 Article rating: No rating On April 22, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) granted certiorari in a case involving over $143 million in oil spill cleanup costs incurred when a submerged anchor pierced a tanker as it approached a New Jersey refinery. The Supreme Court will address a split among the federal circuits over the applicable standard of care terminal owners assume regarding vessel operators’ ability to safely unload cargo when entering into charter party agreements (a form of maritime contract involving the marine transport of goods) containing what are known as “safe berth” clauses. Read more