Irika Shipping S.A., Maritime Pollution, Washington 2010

Baltimore, MD – Irika Shipping S.A., a Panamanian-registered ship management company with operational ties to Greece, has been penalized for deliberately polluting U.S. waters and a subsequent cover-up, according to court documents unsealed this week. The case, originating from an incident aboard the vessel M/V Iorana in December 2009, highlights a pattern of environmental crime and obstruction of justice within the maritime industry.

The investigation began in January 2010 when a concerned crew member bravely bypassed official channels, delivering a written note and photographic evidence to a Customs and Border Protection agent. The note detailed allegations that the Iorana’s chief engineer had ordered the illegal dumping of waste oil directly into the ocean. The evidence provided sparked a full investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard, revealing a calculated effort to circumvent environmental regulations and conceal illicit activities.

Investigators discovered that approximately 23 cubic meters of oil-contaminated sludge and bilge waste were discharged overboard on two separate occasions during the Iorana’s voyage to Baltimore. Crucially, these discharges bypassed the ship’s oily water separator—a legally mandated device designed to prevent pollutants from entering the marine environment. Further compounding the offense, oil-soaked rags used in bilge tank cleaning were also illegally dumped. These actions were not logged in the vessel’s oil record book, a direct violation of international and U.S. law.

Cover-Up Detailed

The scheme didn’t end with the illegal dumping. Evidence indicates a deliberate attempt to obstruct the investigation, including the destruction of incriminating evidence and the provision of false statements to Coast Guard officials by the ship’s officers. This obstruction of justice formed a key component of the criminal charges against Irika Shipping S.A. The company’s attempt to conceal the pollution demonstrates a disregard for both environmental protection and legal accountability.

Legal Ramifications & Penalties

On September 21, 2010, Irika Shipping S.A. pleaded guilty in Maryland U.S. District Court to one count of making false statements, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, and to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, also known as the MARPOL Protocol. The company was sentenced to a total penalty of $4 million. This included a $3 million criminal fine and $1 million in organizational community service payments earmarked for marine environmental projects. Irika Shipping was also placed on probation for a maximum of five years and required to adhere to an Enhanced Environmental Compliance Program.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Irika Shipping S.A.
• Vessel: M/V Iorana
• Location: U.S. Waters (Voyage to Baltimore, MD)
• Date of Incident: December 2009
• Laws Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001, MARPOL Protocol – Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships
• Penalty: $4 million ( $3 million fine + $1 million community service), 5 years probation, Enhanced Environmental Compliance Program
• Evidence: Provided by a whistleblower crew member (note & photographs)
• Pollutants Discharged: 23 cubic meters of oil-contaminated sludge, bilge waste, and oil-soaked rags

This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of maritime pollution and the importance of robust enforcement efforts. The Department of Justice continues to pursue companies and individuals who prioritize profit over environmental responsibility, and the actions of the courageous crew member underscore the vital role whistleblowers play in exposing illegal activities at sea.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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