EMEA News
Turkey Tightens Bunker Spill Regs, Boosts Related Pollution Fines by 41%
In response to a 50 tonne bunker spill from the vessel Lady Tuna off Turkey's coast in December 2016, the country's Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication has implemented stricter regulations and increased fines for such pollution by 41 percent, local media reports.
The increased fines will be determined a ship's weight, ranging between TRY 5,000 ($1,393) and TRY 120,000 ($33,435).
Individuals in charge of ship operation which leads to any kind of pollution or danger to surroundings can be levied with an administrative fine of as much as TRY 5 million ($1.39 million) by the harbour master, with all expenditures incurred in preventing danger, including the removal ships, to be the sole responsibility of ship owners.
Under the ministry's new code, harbour pilot requirements for vessels approaching harbour facilities has been extended from foreign ships to include fishing boats as well.
Further, abandoned or impounded ships are to be monitored and removed if deemed to pose a risk to life, property, or the environment.
Lady Tuna, which grounded on rocks on December 18, 2016 off Turkey's Izmir province, has been fined TRY 5 million ($1.39 million) since the spill.
