The federal government has commenced legal proceedings against Taiwanese company Yang Ming to recover the $15 million it is spending to salvage 62 containers lost overboard off the Hunter coast.
An Australian Maritime and Safety Authority spokesman confirmed on Monday that the government was pursuing the matter in the Federal Court. A hearing date is yet to be set.
Yang Ming and its insurers Britannia P&I have previously said they do not believe the containers, which were lost from the YM Efficiency in June 2018, constitute pollution.
AMSA issued a $3million bill to Yang Ming last December for costs incurred in organising the clean-up.
A Yang Ming-owned container ship YM Eternity was arrested in Sydney on February 8 after the company failed to pay the bill. The ship was later released.
Meanwhile, 23 containers had been recovered as of last Friday, with another 39 still to be collected.
The contractor, Ardent Oceania, is working about 25 kilometres offshore.
Items recovered to date include two Chevrolet Silverado utes, assorted furniture, tyres and paper products.
In addition to recovering the containers the team has also been collecting products that were dislodged from containers during the fall from the ship or once they hit the seabed.
A remotely operated underwater vehicle fitted with a robotic claw has been used to remove a number of items, including mobility scooters and car tyres.
The operation is due to be completed next month and is running on schedule.
Recovered products are being sorted for either salvaging, recycling or disposal.
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