The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has sent a $3 million bill to the owners of YM Efficiency for the costs it has incurred in organising the clean-up of 60 containers lost from the ship last year.
"We aren't dragging our feet on cleaning up the mess Yang Ming have left behind," AMSA chief executive Mick Kinley said.
"Today (Friday, December 20) we have issued an invoice of $3 million to Yang Ming and Brittania P&I to recover AMSA's cost of paying the mobilisation payment for the clean-up operations."
And it will be followed by a $12 million bill for the cost of the clean-up operation on the Hunter-Port Stephens coast, which is due to start in March.
"If payment isn't received by 18 January 2020, AMSA will commence legal action to ensure the polluter pays," Mr Kinley said.
AMSA awarded the $15 million salvage contract to Ardent Oceania last week.
The project will involve encasing the containers in a metal basket before winching them to the surface.
AMSA says it was forced to organise the clean-up because the ship's owner Yang Ming had refused to undertake the operation.
Yang Ming's Australian representative, Aus Ship Lawyers & Correspondents, says it has committed significant resources into the clean up and supporting affected stakeholders.
"Yang Ming has consistently funded and assisted with efforts that ensure the best result for the local fishing industry and environment," a spokesman said.
"This includes providing sonar equipment to impacted fishermen and salvage operations to keep Australian beaches clean which have been approved and complimented by Australian government departments."
"We reject any notion that we have shirked responsibility and have dedicated significant resources towards limiting the impact on both the fishermen and locals on the beach."
It is particularly concerned about the structural integrity of the containers, which have been submerged for a considerable period.
The industry is also calling for a compensation package for future claims related to damage caused by the containers.
AMSA will hold a number of community briefings before the salvage project begins.
