Two maritime companies, Avin International and Kriti Ruby Special Maritime Enterprises, have been ordered to pay a fine of $3.375 million and make a charitable donation of $1.125 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as part of a plea deal. In addition to the monetary penalties, both companies have been given a five-year suspended sentence with environmental compliance plans in place and a monitoring role to ensure future compliance.
The companies admitted to breaching the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) during port calls in May and September 2022 to Jacksonville, Florida, and the Sewaren Terminal at the Port of Newark, New Jersey. Along with the APPS violations, the companies also pleaded guilty to forgery and obstruction of justice related to the September 2022 port call.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental compliance in the maritime industry. Companies must adhere to regulations to protect the environment and wildlife from potential harm caused by pollution. The legal consequences of non-compliance, as seen in this case, can be significant and include fines, charitable donations, and monitoring to ensure future adherence to environmental laws.
