Tasman Spirit fight goes on after crew release says American P'I Club.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: The Karachi Eight may be safely home but the row over compensation with Pakistan remains far away from a final settlement, writes Roger Hailey

THE American P'I Club remains far away from a final pollution settlement with Pakistan over the Tasman Spirit oil tanker grounding, with the government in Islamabad still seeking $7.5bn in compensation.

Having successfully campaigned for the release of the seven crewmen and one salvor the 'Karachi eight' held hostage by Pakistan following the grounding in July, 2003, high-level talks between the American Club and Pakistan on a final compensation settlement have now reached an impasse.

Michael J Mitchell, general counsel for the American Club, told Lloyd's List: 'Our primary goal from the beginning of this complicated and fast moving matter was to secure the safe release of the Karachi Eight.

'The men were released after nine months' captivity …