HONG KONG's Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has filed motion to keep the appeal option open against a lower court conviction of "involuntary manslaughter" in which the company was fined EUR50,000 (US$69,000).

"We find it difficult to reconcile the verdict with the results of the investigations made by various independent experts," said a company statement.

"For the last 11 years, we have sought the truth behind the cause of Mr [Courtnay] Allan's death," said OOCL, about the day when its director accidentally fell down a lift shaft at a shipboard cocktail party in Antwerp.

"To date, none of the independent experts, including the French court surveyor, were able to identify the person that had interfered and tampered with the lift system," said the statement.

"The company had invited the French magistrate to expand the court's enquiries to include the shipbuilders and lift manufacturers, but unfortunately to no avail," it said.

A settlement was reached with Mr Allan's estate in 2005. Mr Allan's sons have separately filed a claim for civil damages in the French court in May 2014, which was adjourned until later this year.

"OOCL has on several occasions expressed its deepest and most sincere regret for this tragic event, in person by senior management and in open court at the Le Havre hearing.

"Mr Courtenay Allan was held in the highest regard and the company remains deeply saddened by his passing," said the company statement.