How to prevent pollution fines in Turkey

From 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020, new pollution fine tariffs are applying in Turkey. The London P&I Club informs about the fines and suggests ways to prevent them from taking place.

Petrol and Petroleum products discharged to sea by tankers:

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• Up to 1000 (inclusive) gross tons: Per Ton * 400 TL
• Between 1000 and 5000 (inclusive) gross tons: Per Ton * 100 TL (Addition to 1)
•  Over 5000 gross tons: Per Ton * 10 TL (Addition to 1 and 2)

Dirty ballast discharged to sea by tankers:

• Up to 1000 (inclusive) gross tons: Per Ton * 72.88 TL
• Between 1000 and 5000 (inclusive) gross tons: Per Ton * 14.54 TL(Addition to 1)
• Over 5000 gross tons: Per Ton * 2.32 TL (Addition to 1 and 2 )

Petrol/Petroleum products and dirty ballast discharged to sea by vessels or any other sea vehicles:

• Up to 1000 (inclusive) gross tons: Per Ton * 200 TL
• Between 1000 and 5000 (inclusive) gross tons: Per Ton * 40 TL(Addition to 1)
•  Over 5000 gross tons: Per Ton * 10 TL (Addition to 1 and 2 )

Garbage and sewage discharged to sea by vessels and any other sea vehicles:

• Up to 1000 (inclusive) gross tons: Per Ton * 100 TL
• Between 1000 and 5000 (inclusive) gross tons: Per Ton * 20 TL(Addition to 1)
• Over 5000 gross tons: Per Ton * 10 TL (Addition to 1 and 2 ) (Today rate USD /5.38TL 17.12.2018)

Recommendations

• De-ballasting operations should be avoided unless the ballast water was checked and confirmed to be clean.
• All overboard discharge valves should be closed and secured/sealed in closed position.
• All deck scuppers should be plugged and any gaps in the fish plate surrounding the deck should be closed.
• Hose test of hatch covers, hydrostatic test of deck pipes/hoses or other equipment should not be performed.
• Washing of decks and superstructure should be avoided.
• Treated water from the sewage system and grey water should be transferred to a holding tank and should not be discharged until the vessel is outside Turkish waters.
• Cargo residues, cargo space cleaning residues, all garbage and other substances should not be disposed in Turkish waters.
• The vessel’s hull should not be scrapped, chipped or painted while alongside the pier or at anchor.
• While the vessel is at the shipyard or in dry dock, even if the pollution is caused by the negligence of the shipyard, its employees or agents, the ship may be held vicariously liable for the pollution fine. Therefore the crew members should exercise care and they should immediately protest in writing to the shipyard where they believe pollution took place.