A French court has sued the Captain of the cruise ship ‘Azura’, operated by P&O Cruises, over breaching sulphur fuel limit, during the ship’s stopover in Marseilles on 29 March. If found guilty, the Master could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to €200,000.
The ship reportedly failed to comply with the European law against air pollution, using heavy fuel oil containing 1.68% of sulphur, which exceeds the maximum allowed limit of 1.5%, according to local media.
As informed, when the cruise ship arrived at the port, authorities took fuel samples. However, when the results revealed a high level of sulphur, Azura had already departed and respective authorities boarded vessel at La Seyne-sur-Mer in the Var, where the Captain admitted to have used a non-compliant fuel.
The captain allegedly would be arrested and charged at the ship’s next French port call, due for 1st of June.
Air pollution is a key area of concern in port of Marseille, as cruise ship traffic sees rising development.
