Shipowner Ordered to Pay $1.2 Million for Pollution

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Friday July 27, 2012

Louisiana Judge Stanwood Duval Jr. on Wednesday ordered Athens, Greece-based Odysea Carriers, S.A. (Odysea) to pay $1.2 million in criminal monetary penalties after the shipping firm pleaded guilty to Violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, Obstruction of Justice, and Ports & Waterways Safety Program Act Violation, according to court records.

The monetary penalties consist of a $1.1 million fine and $100,000.00 to be paid to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for projects aimed at rehabilitating marine resources in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

At the federal court sentencing in New Orleans, Judge Duval also imposed a three year period of probation on the firm during which time Odysea must, amongst other concessions, implement an approved Environmental Compliance Plan.

The case was filed on February 14, 2012 following an investigation after Odysea's Marshall Islands flagged 37,623 grt bulk carrier MV Polyneos, which according to Odysea is owned by Bulkers Holding Inc., docked at the Port of New Orleans on Oct. 12, 2011.

Engine room crew members were said to have used a hose to pump the contents of the ship's bilge tank, bilge oil tank, and sludge tank directly overboard since at least June 8, 2011.

The ship's chief engineer then allegedly tried to conceal the actions from the U.S. Coast Guard by falsifying the vessel's records to indicate an incinerator was used to burn the oil waste.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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