The lawsuit requests that the tanker be seized and sold to pay for the damage. It also alleges that the collision “occurred as a result of the negligence, gross negligence, fault or carelessness” of the ship and operating companies.
It alleges that the tanker and companies failed “to use all available means to avoid the risk” of colliding with the riverboat.
Nave Shipping is a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. BBC has contacted the latter for comment.
Thome Ship Management has also been contacted. The firm said in a statement on Saturday that the crew of the Atlantic Asphalt were safe and accounted for.
“OSM Thome is fully complying with the local authorities as they carry out the necessary investigations,” it said.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said at a news conference on Saturday that the tanker’s data recorder, which preserves information like the boat’s speed and audio, has been recovered as part of the investigation.
A preliminary report about the incident will be released in 30 days, but a final report could take 18 to 24 months.
There were about 129 passengers, in addition to crew members, on the American Heritage at the time of the collision, according to the port authority.
Tugboat operators, police and other rescuers rushed to help while officials shut down traffic in the Mississippi River during the rescue effort.
The American Heritage had been finishing an eight-day cruise calling at destinations in Louisiana and Mississippi along the waterway at the time.