The Gard P&I Club has issued an article regarding a significant settlement between Matson Navigation and the State of Hawaii following the discharge of molasses draws attention to pollution casualties resulting from sources other than persistent oil.
Although this incident was a spill/leakage from a pipeline, molasses is also carried on board ships. This interesting case highlights a number of points to be kept in mind by ship owners and operators trading molasses to/from the US.
If any of the cargo was spilled from a ship, it could have a similar environmental impact, therefore the following should be kept in mind by ship owners and operators:
- The significant settlement sum illustrates that the size of fines, costs and expenses for pollution events continue to rise in the US. In addition to civil liabilities, fines and response costs can be assessed by both federal and state authorities.
- Pollution events are not limited to those outlined in OPA 90 and can include application of CERCLA, The Clean Water act and pertinent state laws
- Non-petroleum spills offer different clean-up challenges that can be more complicated and costly to resolve than an oil spill.
- Best practice is to immediately report a potential pollution event.
- Planning for response to spills of all types of cargo can be an effective tool in minimising pollutions losses.
For further information, please refer to Club’s article
Shipowner agrees to pay USD 15.4 million to settle spill of molasses with the state of Hawaii
Source: The Gard P&I Club
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