Spain has diverted and detained a tanker accusing it for discharging petroleum on high seas off Las Palmas.
After detaining the ship, its operator may be facing a record-setting fine.
More specifically, at the beginning of the week the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma) announced that its General Directorate of the Merchant Marine (DGMM) ordered the master of the tanker Aldan to divert to Almeria.
Before this decision, an EMSA satellite had observed the Aldan allegedly performing an illegal discharge of hydrocarbons northwest of Las Palmas. The ministry added that the spill contaminated about 20 square miles of the sea.
What is more, the Maritime Captaincy of Almería has launched an investigation into the vessel’s activities and is holding the ship in detention.
When the ship arrived in Almería, port state control inspectors reported issues regarding its sewage plant, radio log, charts, compass, emergency generator, EPIRB, SART, railings, liferafts, drills and ISM code compliance.
