A group of Bay of Plenty businesses is considering a class action lawsuit in Europe against the owners of the cargo ship Rena.
The businesses say their livelihoods were affected after the container ship ran aground off Tauranga coast on 5 October, spilling hundreds of tonnes oil and cargo into the sea.
About 20 businesses want compensation from the ship's owner, Costamare, for the losses they have incurred.
[image:4729:full]A lawyer for the group, Robert Makgill, says there is a mix of legal options available at the moment.
"The first port of call would be in New Zealand, but we are also awaiting advice about the chances of success in a jurisdiction outside New Zealand to get around the statutory limit on liability."
On Wednesday, the captain of the Rena pleaded guilty at Tauranga District Court to all charges against him.
