Virgin Group supremo and cruiseship owner Sir Richard Branson has taken a pop at the shipping industry over the oil spill in Mauritius.

The Caribbean Island-dwelling businessman issued a statement expressing his sorrow over the environmental disaster caused by the grounding of the 203,000-dwt Wakashio (built 2007) on a reef last month.

Branson, the owner of cruiseship company Virgin Voyages, said: "Mauritius is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, pristine waters and unique biodiversity.