Chinese authorities and a dredging contractor areinvolved in a mud-slinging match.The government stopped the contractor, Gitanes Engineering, fromdumping nearly 250,000 cu m ofsludge in Chinese waters. The dispute over contaminated mud hasreached the High Court with thecontractor issuing a writ claimingUS $18.76 million damages. Therow started in July when Gitanesapplied to the environmental protection department for a mudloading permit, which was clearedonly 64 days after it was lodged.The delay cost the company morethan US $25 million in compensation, labour and shipping costs.