A district court verdict that ordered the Norwegian government to pay close to NOK 23 million in damages for having failed to mark the ground that the bulker Rocknes hit in January 2004 in the chart, has now been overturned by a higher court.

The original claim by the companies was for NOK 580 million. The Borgating lagmannsrett has now dismissed the claim in a verdict that states that although the ground was not marked on the chart, this had no significance for the sinking of the Rocknes when 18 seafarers lost their lives. According to the court, the accident was caused by a navigational error in poor visibility, strong currents and a low tide.

The verdict may be appealed.