2 Greek Shipping Companies Fined USD 4.5 Million for Illegal Oil Discharges, Cover-Up

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Two Greek shipping companies have been slapped with $4.5 million in fines and penalties after their vessel, the MV Kriti Ruby, was caught illegally dumping oily waste at sea and attempting to cover up the environmental crimes.

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Avin International Ltd. and Kriti Ruby Special Maritime Enterprises pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) during port calls in Jacksonville, Florida, and Newark, New Jersey, in 2022. The companies were ordered to pay a $3.375 million criminal fine plus $1.125 million in community service payments to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

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In addition to the monetary penalties, both companies will serve five-year probation terms under strict environmental compliance monitoring.

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Court documents revealed a sophisticated scheme where crew members repeatedly bypassed required pollution prevention equipment by discharging oily waste through the vessel’s sewage system. To evade detection by U.S. Coast Guard inspectors, the crew concealed pumps and hoses used in the illegal operations within a sealed void space known as a “cofferdam.”

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Read More at Offshore Energy

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