GENEVA's Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the charterer of the 3,300-TEU Rena grounded on a reef off the coast of New Zealand is facing claims from beneficial cargo owners.

Owner Costamare must formally declare it was not en route for salvagers to claim rights to the cargo, said MSC general manager Phil Abraham, according to the New Zealand Herald. The Greek ship owner has 60 days in which to file action from the date of the grounding to limit liability.

The Liberian-flagged MV Rena has lost 350 tonnes of oil to the ocean and 88 containers since its grounding in early October, with heavy swells and bad weather adding fears of further spill and cargo loss.

Claims by customers of the cargo is held up until recovery is complete, said Mr Abraham.