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Tanker companies fined for illegal oil dumping
Prive Overseas Marine LL and Prive Shipping Denizcilik Ticaret have pleaded guilty to environmental crimes, including deliberately dumping oil from their tanker and obstructing justice, resulting in substantial penalties and probation
In a significant environmental enforcement action, two affiliated companies, Prive Overseas Marine LLC and Prive Shipping Denizcilik Ticaret, have pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, violating the US Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), and obstructing justice.
These charges stem from deliberately dumping oil from 2006-built MR2 tanker PS Dream and subsequently falsifying the vessel’s Oil Record Book to conceal the illegal activity.
The guilty pleas were entered in federal court in New Orleans. If the plea agreement is approved, the companies will face a combined fine of US$2M and four years of probation. Separate charges have been filed against Captain Abdurrahman Korkmaz, a Turkish national who served as the ship’s master.
The case began on 11 January 2023, when a crew member contacted the US Coast Guard (USCG) in New Orleans, the tanker’s next port of call, and provided video evidence of oil being pumped overboard.
Upon the ship’s arrival two weeks later, this individual and another crew member reported the violation, leading to the collection of further evidence by the USCG.
Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division assistant attorney general Todd Kim stated, “Deliberate pollution from ships, intentional falsification of records and obstruction of justice are serious environmental crimes that will be vigorously prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
“This case involved deceit and wilful pollution, and this prosecution is intended to hold both the corporations and individuals accountable,” added US attorney Duane Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
“Criminal prosecutions are needed to deter deliberate efforts to circumvent our Nation’s anti-pollution laws. Importantly, US$500,000 of the criminal penalty will go toward environmental protection of the marine environment in our area.”
Deputy commander of USCG Sector New Orleans Captain Greg Callaghan stressed the broader implications of the case, “Today’s outcome sends a powerful message: those who falsify logs and take deliberate actions to conceal pollution will face significant consequences. The Coast Guard and our partners remain steadfast in our shared commitment to safeguarding our waters and holding accountable those who threaten our marine ecosystems. We encourage individuals to continue reporting any suspicious activities, as each report plays a crucial role in protecting the marine environment."
According to court documents, the ship’s master ordered crew members to discharge oil-contaminated waste from the residual oil tank directly into the ocean using a portable pump and flexible hose, bypassing required pollution prevention equipment.
This act violated Marpol Annex I, an international treaty regulating oil pollution from ships. The falsified logs were intended to hide this non-compliance.
Senior managers at Prive Shipping were aware of the situation and were informed by Capt Korkmaz that the waste had been dumped overboard.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance assistant administrator David Uhlmann remarked, “It is long past time for the maritime industry to meet its obligations under international law and stop illegal pollution from ships. Illegal ocean dumping and falsifying records to conceal those violations will not be tolerated by EPA and our federal law enforcement partners.”
The proposed US$2M penalty includes US$500,000 for environmental community service payments to fund maritime environmental projects in the Eastern District of Louisiana, managed by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. Additionally, up to US$500,000 may be awarded to the whistleblowers who provided evidence leading to the conviction.
Prive Overseas Marine, based in Dubai, and Prive Shipping, based in Turkey, were charged with four felonies: conspiracy, an APPS violation, and two counts of obstruction of justice. Captain Korkmaz faces two counts: violating APPS and obstructing the Coast Guard’s inspection.
The case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service and the EPA Criminal Investigations Division, with support from USCG Sector New Orleans.
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