Two Greek shipping companies have been fined $3.4 million for illegally dumping oily bilge water into the narrow shipping channel between New Jersey and Staten Island. Avin International Ltd. and Kriti Ruby Special Maritime Enterprises, owners of the offending Motor Tanker Kriti Ruby, also face a $1.1 million community service payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In addition to the fines, the companies have been sentenced to five years of probation and must adhere to environmental compliance plans with monitoring to ensure future compliance.
The illegal dumping and falsification of records took place during two port calls in 2022, with crew members bypassing pollution prevention equipment to discharge the waste directly into the sea. The concealed actions took place in the Arthur Kill channel, causing harm to the environment. Former chief engineer Konstantinos Atsalis, who pleaded guilty in May to charges related to the dumping and record concealment, was sentenced to time served and a fine for his involvement in the conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger emphasized the harmful impact of maritime pollution on the environment, noting the difficulties in detecting such crimes when polluters go to great lengths to conceal their actions. Sellinger reaffirmed the importance of enforcing laws to protect the seas and punish violators, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to ensure compliance and accountability within the maritime industry.
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