Tag: penalty

 JL Petroleum Pte Ltd pleaded guilty in court on 18 August 2015 for supplying bunkers in the Port of Singapore without a valid bunker supplier licence issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), as required under regulation 64(b) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations. The company was fined under regulation 78(b) of the Port Regulations.MPA had brought charges against JL Petroleum for supplying bunkers on 14 occasions between 2 and 25 June 2013. In addition, JL Petroleum had also used the Bunker Delivery Notes belonging to Excel Petroleum Enterprise Pte Ltd for the deliveries.MPA had cancelled Excel Petroleum Enterprise's bunker supplier licence on 15 January 2014 for the company's involvement in this case, as its actions had breached the terms and conditions of the licence.The bunkering industry is an important and integral part of the Port of Singapore. All bunker suppliers operating in the Port of Singapore must be licensed by MPA, and all licensees must adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of the licence. Any licensee found to have contravened any terms and conditions will have his licence suspended or cancelled.MPA adopts a zero tolerance approach towards bunkering malpractices and will ...

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 lawsNon-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 ...

  The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has successfully prosecuted the master and owners of the Hong Kong registered bulk carrier ANL Kardinia for illegally dumping garbage in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. One Armania Shipping Ltd and the master of ANL Kardinia were found guilty on July 20 in the Townsville Magistrates Court on one charge each of illegally disposing of garbage under the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983. The illegal discharge took place on 13 February 2015 and was detected by an AMSA Inspector during a routine Port State Control inspection in Brisbane on 16 February 2015. The AMSA Inspector examined ANL Kardinia’s Garbage Record Book and discovered an entry for a discharge of food waste within the prohibited discharge area of the Great Barrier Reef. One Armania Shipping Ltd was fined $4,000 and the master was fined $300 for the illegal discharge. AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said masters and owners of vessels should be warned that the illegal discharge of ships’ waste would not be tolerated in Australian waters. “Australia has a robust Port State Control regime, designed to ensure ship owners and their masters are following the rules ...

  Stuart Edmonston, Loss Prevention Director, UK P&I Club comments on the increased demand for using low-sulphur fuels in shipping and says that concerns remain.  Global move towards using cleaner fuel, with countries forming new or reforming old regulations Jurisdictions are increasingly demanding the use of low-sulphur fuel in ships that berth in their ports Heavy penalties can be imposed on shipowners and Masters for the use of incorrect fuel There are increasing demands on shipowners to comply with mandates regarding the use of low-sulphur fuels in ships. The move towards using cleaner fuels supports a global drive to reducing carbon emissions, with many countries forming new or reforming old regulations. Shipowners need to be aware of the differing rules and costs across jurisdictions as they face significant fines for non-compliance. Hong Kong and Australia are the latest to introduce their own bespoke requirements. Low sulphur fuel (0.1% or less) will be mandatory for all cruise ships berthing in Sydney Harbour after 1 October 2015 and in all New South Wales (NSW) ports after 1 July 2016. Owners can be fined up to $44,000 and the Master up to $22,000. In Hong Kong, all ocean-going vessels (above 500 GT) are ...

West of England P&I Club informs that on 1 July 2015 the customs authorities in Abidjan issued a notice warning...

According to China's Ministry of Transport recent announcement, twenty one (21) shipping companies operating on Sino- Japan routes have been fined for their involvement in unfair competition practices.

North Sea operator pleads guilty to health and safety breaches

  Norbulk Shipping UK Ltd, a company based in Glasgow, United Kingdom, and operator of the M/V Murcia Carrier, pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an accurate oil record book in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and providing false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard concerning the vessel’s garbage record book.  The company was sentenced to pay a criminal penalty of $750,000 and placed on three years of probation by the Honorable Joseph H. Rodriguez, the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced today. “Our oceans are life giving and life sustaining resources that our country and our world depend upon,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Ignoring perfectly legal and feasible ways to dispose of waste, the defendants chose instead to dump directly into the ocean.  Today the company will pay a price for this inexcusable and criminal act.” “Illegal discharges at sea damage our environment and endanger those who work in and enjoy our coastal waters,” said U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman for the District of New Jersey.  “As we have shown before, ...

The US Coast Guard announced that thedetained 24 people on waters of Elliott Bay in Seattle for violating the safety zone around the vessel Polar Pioneer have been released. The individuals have been issued notices of violation that include a $500 fine. The vessel is now transiting north into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

  Herm. Dauelsberg GmbH & Co. KG, a German company, was sentenced in federal court to pay a total of $750,000 in fines and community service payments for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships by intentionally discharging 1,780 gallons of oily water into the sea off the coast of Alaska and then presenting false records to the U.S. Coast Guard. Herm. Dauelsberg was also ordered to implement a comprehensive Environmental Compliance Plan and was placed on probation for three years.  During the term of probation, Herm. Dauelsberg will be subject to a heightened level of scrutiny, including warrantless searches of its vessels and places of business based upon a reasonable suspicion that it is violating the law.  Of the total payment, Herm. Dauelsberg will pay $600,000 in criminal fines and $150,000 in community restitution.   The community restitution payment will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to be used for research, projects, and education designed to study and/or benefit the marine environment within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States off the coast of Alaska and/or the natural resources or wildlife contained therein near Alaska. Defendant Herm. Dauelsberg is the operator of the Motor Vessel Lindavia.  ...