NEW ORLEANS — The Port of New Orleans is suing the owners and managers of the asphalt tanker that crashed into a cruise ship on the Mississippi River on Friday, according to a report by WWL.

Around 12:30 p.m. Friday, the tanker Atlantic Asphalt lost steering and slammed into the docked river cruise boat American Heritage as passengers were disembarking. The cruise boat, carrying 180 passengers and crew, began tilting within minutes of the crash and rolled onto its side as first responders worked to evacuate those aboard.

The port allegedly claimed that the collision, which led to 32 hospitalizations, caused more than $1 million in damage to port property. 

The lawsuit filed in federal court by the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans names the tanker Atlantic Asphalt and its owner, Native Shipping SA and its management company, Thome Ship Management Pte. Ltd. 

According to the lawsuit, the collision caused significant damage to the port's Thalia Street Terminal where passengers aboard the American Heritage cruise ship were disembarking before the tanker struck the vessel. 

The port accused the tanker of failing to follow safety rules and taking steps to avoid striking the docked cruise ship and seeks to hold the tanker's owners and managers responsible for what it says is more than $1 million in damage, according to the lawsuit.

Port officials allegedly asked a federal judge to allow the tanker to be seized and sold to help pay for the damage. 

American Cruise Lines, which operates the American Heritage, said it is placing everyone who was aboard into local hotels and ensuring their immediate needs are met.