US lawyers are targeting the social-media apps on Chinese seafarers’ mobile phones after a $27m casualty at the port of Houston.

Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), the Port of Houston Authority and Houston terminal operator TPC Group are suing Beijing-based Beikun Shipping, its 34,400-dwt handysize bulker Yochow (built 2015) and operator China Navigation for severe damage to docks and a US-flag articulated tug barge.