Two Companies and Captain Convicted for Environmental Crimes at Sea in High-Profile Case

In a high-profile case of environmental crimes at sea, two companies operating the Panama-registered chemical tanker P/S Dream were convicted in federal court in New Orleans. Privé Overseas Marine and Privé Shipping Denizcilik Ticaret now face a $2 million fine and four years of probation for charges related to conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and violations of the Ship Pollution Prevention Act.

Captain Abdurrahman Korkmaz, at the center of the case, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for illegally discharging oil-contaminated waste and obstructing a U.S. Coast Guard investigation during an incident in January 2023. The crew of the P/S Dream, under Korkmaz’s orders, set up a pump to dump waste overboard and falsified the ship’s oil log to cover up the crime.

Environmentalists are alarmed by the deliberate pollution as the companies and captain disregarded maritime laws. A brave crew member provided the Coast Guard with video evidence of the discharge, leading to exposure of the illegal operation. The $2 million fine imposed on the companies will fund maritime environmental projects in the Eastern District of Louisiana, managed by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.

The sentencing of Prive Overseas Marine and Prive Shipping includes strict environmental compliance measures for four years. The case underscores the importance of oversight and enforcement in upholding international regulations like MARPOL to prevent marine pollution. It also highlights the need for crew members to report violations, as without accountability, the ocean can become a dumping ground for corporate shortcuts.

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