EMEA News
Greek Owner Pays €500,000 to Release Vessel After Suspected Bunker Spill
Greece-based Laskaridis Shipping has paid a €500,000 ($550,000) compensation to have its bulk carrier Thisseas released, following a suspected bunker spill in the Bay of Biscay, 350 kilometres from Brittany in French waters.
According to local media reports, on February 24, 2016 at around noon a Navy Falcon 50 surveillance jet detected what is believed to be a bunker spill in the wake of the vessel, which was travelling from St Petersberg en route to China.
According to the reports the slick stretched for 40 kilometres with a width of 50 meters.
The prosecutor of the court of Brest had the vessel diverted to the commercial port of Brest, where it arrived on February 26.
After being questioned, the vessel and crew were permitted to leave on February 29, following payment of the €500,000.
The prosecutor, Eric Mathais, explained to local media that French environmental law authorizes it to immobilize the boat and regulators are very serious about prosecuting polluters.
The Ukrainian captain, the chief engineer, and the crew testified at a hearing through interpreters, saying they had seen nothing, did not notice damage, or anything malfunctioning on their boat.
Reports indicate that no issues with the ship were observed during the inspection in the harbour of Brest.
The captain has been sent a summons to appear before the criminal court of Brest November 3, 2016.
The Greek shipowner will also be summoned to the hearing.
If the law does not provide for imprisonment, the fine may go up to €15 million ($16.5 million), according to reports.
In February 2014 Ship & Bunker reported that a Spanish cargo vessel The Luno crashed into the breakwater at Anglet, France, after an engine failure, resulting in a bunker spill.
