Americas News
Kirby Agrees to Pay $4.9 Million for 2014 Houston Ship Channel Spill
The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Tuesday announced that Kirby Inland Marine L.P. (Kirby) will pay $4.9 million in penalties under the Clean Water Act in relation to the 168,000 gallon oil spill in the Houston Ship Channel, which occurred in March 2014.
In addition to the company's payment of penalties, Kirby has committed to improving the operations of its entire fleet, which includes hundreds of vessels operating in U.S. inland waters, and will see the installation of enhanced navigational equipment and associated employee training, and improved operational practices.
Kirby has also agreed to waive any limits on its liability under the Oil Pollution Act in relation to the oil spill incident as part of the settlement.
The remedial measures and the penalties are noted to come in addition to costs the company has already incurred, or will incur, in relation to the oil spill's clean up, federal and State response efforts, compensation for victims of the oil spill, and compensation for damage to natural resources.
"This settlement sends a clear message that vessel owners and operators have a responsibility to protect our waters, people and the environment from oil spills and those who violate that duty will be held accountable under the law," said Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.
"The remedial measures in this agreement will upgrade navigational equipment, provide employee training, and improve operational practices across an entire fleet of vessels."
As Ship & Bunker has reported, several suits have been filed over the accident, including one by commercial fishermen who said their businesses were hurt by the spill, another by cruise passengers whose departure date was postponed by the channel's closing, and a third by Kirby, which blamed Cleopatra Shipping, Summer Wind, and shipowner Sea Galaxy S.A. for the accident.
