V.Ships Norway A.S., Maritime Pollution, Louisiana 2022

SHIPPING COMPANY FINED $2M FOR MARITIME POLLUTION OFFENSE

In a shocking case of environmental disregard, V.Ships Norway A.S. pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and was sentenced to pay a $2 million fine.

The company admitted that oily bilge water and oily waste was discharged from the Motor Tanker Swift Winchester and the discharges were omitted from the Oil Record Book.

“Dumping oil-contaminated waste into the waters around our ports and coasts violates the law and poses an unnecessary health and environmental hazard,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The crew took pains to hide their illegal activity by knowingly keeping inaccurate records. We will not turn a blind eye to this kind of irresponsible and fraudulent activity.”

The incident occurred between February 2022 and August 2022, when a hose was connected between the incinerator waste oil tank and the sewage holding tank on the M/T Swift Winchester. This allowed oily waste to transfer into the sewage holding tank and then to be discharged directly into the sea, bypassing required pollution prevention equipment.

Coast Guard members from U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur conducted an examination, during which an engine room crewmember disclosed the discharges and provided photographic and video evidence documenting the illegal discharges. The M/T Swift Winchester entered Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Aug. 25, 2022, and Port Arthur, Texas, on Sept. 7, 2022, with a knowingly falsified Oil Record Book.

V.Ships Norway A.S. was charged with violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. The company was sentenced to pay a $2 million fine, marking a significant win for environmental enforcement in the state of Louisiana. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible shipping practices and the consequences of environmental disregard.

V.Ships Norway A.S.

Defendant: V.Ships Norway A.S.

Criminal Charges: Violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships

City and State: Louisiana

Date: Between February 2022 and August 2022

Sentence: $2 million fine

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdla/pr/shipping-company-fined-2m-maritime-pollution-offense