Firm linked to Tung Chee-hwa fined over exec's death

[SINGAPORE] Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), a shipping company controlled by the family of former Hong Kong government chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, has been fined 50,000 euros (S$85,079) over the death of a top executive in France 11 years ago.

The firm, one of the world's biggest container carriers and a unit of Hong Kong-listed parent Orient Overseas (International) Ltd (OOIL), was found guilty on Wednesday by a criminal court in the French port of Le Havre of involuntary manslaughter over the July 3, 2003 death of Courtenay Allan.

The ruling followed a long campaign for justice by Mr Allan's three sons, Ben, Hayden and Tristan Allan. "After 11 years of campaigning for justice, we are pleased that OOCL have finally been held responsible for our father's premature death," they said in a statement.