MSC Shipmanagement Limited, along with the owner of the containership MSC Samira III, has been fined $1.75 million after admitting to illegal discharges of oily waste into the ocean. Both entities pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to two counts of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and received a four-year probation sentence.
The offenses occurred between June 2024 and January 2025, involving harmful pollution and recordkeeping violations on the MSC Samira III. Investigations revealed that crew members were instructed by senior engine officers to unlawfully redirect oily bilge water into the sewage holding tank, which allowed it to be discharged overboard without proper treatment. This bypassing of pollution-control systems directly contravenes international regulations defining limits for oil in discharged bilge water.
Further violations included manipulating the oily water separator by running fresh water through the oil content monitor while actual oily waste was discharged, thus misrepresenting adherence to pollution limits. The fraudulent practices came to light during the vessel’s calls at the Port of Philadelphia when a falsified oil record book was presented to the U.S. Coast Guard.
U.S. authorities emphasized the importance of compliance and the consequences for those who attempt to deceive environmental regulations. The case highlights ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity of maritime laws, especially regarding foreign vessels operating in U.S. waters.
