In the early hours of 5 February 2019, the large bulk carrier MV Solomon Trader, registered under the Hong Kong flag and transporting 700 tonnes of oil, ran aground on the Kongobainiu reef adjacent to Rennel Island. This incident resulted in the leakage of over 300 tonnes of oil, marking the most significant environmental catastrophe in the history of the Solomon Islands.

Rennell Island, recognized as the second-largest raised coral atoll globally, is famous for its rich biodiversity and ecological sensitivity. It is home to Lake Tegano, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest freshwater lake in the Pacific region. The bay of Rennell Island was historically renowned for the traditional practice of dolphin calling, where local inhabitants would attract dolphins to the shore. Many dolphins are now dead and the others have disappeared.

In response to the spill, the Solomon Islands, Australia, and New Zealand governments collaborated on extensive multimillion-dollar clean-up and salvage operations. Experts estimate that the recovery of the affected area may take approximately 130 years.

On 31 January, a legal team representing the landowners initiated a civil lawsuit in the High Court of the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands government is also anticipated to submit a claim as part of the same legal proceedings before the statute of limitations expires on 5 February.

The defendants in this case include foreign companies, notably the owners of the MV Solomon Trader and the operators of a bauxite mine located on Rennell Island. Two insurance firms, MS Amlin Marine NV, based in the Netherlands, and Korea P&I Club, associated with the South Korean government, allegedly owe the claimants damages exceeding 38 million US dollars.

Harj Narulla from Doughty Street Chambers represents both the Solomon Islands Government and the Indigenous landowners. For the landowners, Narulla is instructed by the Pacific Legal Network. For the government, he is instructed by Attorney General John Muria Jr. and DLA Piper.