Claims resulting from a bunker spill from a chemical tanker in Rotterdam last year are running in excess of $50m, according to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds).

The estimate emerged as the IOPC Funds looks set to become involved after a court ruling over the incident involving the 37,499-dwt Bow Jubail (built 1996).

The spill claims are well in ­excess of initial claims last year of around $34m but fall short of the $90m estimated at one time by the Port of Rotterdam Authority.