Turkey imposes nine per cent increase in marine pollution fines

The levels of marine pollution fines being applied by environmental authorities in Turkey have been increased by 9.11 per cent, P&I club Standard Club said through its website on Friday, January 8.

As of January 1, 2021 the fine rates imposed under article 20 of the Environment Code are as follows:

For pollution caused by tankers discharging petroleum and petroleum derivatives (such as crude oil, fuel products, bilge, sludge, slop, refined product, greasy waste materials, etc):

• Ships less than 1,000 GT – 661.95 TL per GT
• Ships between 1,000 GT and 5,000 GT – 165.49 TL per GT in addition to the above amount
• Ships more than 5,000 GT – 16.54 TL per GT in addition to the above amounts

For pollution caused by tankers discharging dirty ballast:

• Ships less than 1,000 GT – 120.60 TL per GT
• Ships between 1,000 GT and 5,000 GT – 24.06 TL per GT in addition to the above amount
• Ships more than 5,000 GT – 3.82 TL per GT in addition to the above amounts

For pollution caused by ships and other naval vessels discharging petroleum derivatives (such as bilge, sludge, slop, fuel products, greasy waste materials, etc) or dirty ballast:

• Ships less than 1,000 GT – 330.97 TL per GT
• Ships between 1,000 GT and 5,000 GT – 66.20 TL per GT in addition to the above amount
• Ships more than 5,000 GT – 16.54 TL per GT in addition to the above amounts

For pollution caused by tankers, ships and other naval vessels discharging solid waste or domestic wastewater:

• Ships less than 1,000 GT – 165.49 TL per GT
• Ships between 1,000 GT and 5,000 GT – 33.10 TL per GT in addition to the above amount
• Ships more than 5,000 GT – 16.54 TL per GT in addition to the above amounts

The amounts quoted above will be tripled for ships owned by corporate entities.

Fines will be doubled in the event of a repeat offence within three years, and tripled for subsequent offences by the same vessel within three years.

Fines imposed by Turkish authorities due to alleged pollution must be paid or security must be put up immediately for the full amount, otherwise the ship may be arrested.

Authorities that detect a pollution incident are under an obligation to report the incident to the Turkish public prosecutor immediately.

Subsequently, the public prosecutor will commence a criminal investigation, which is usually followed by criminal proceedings brought against the master of the ship. These proceedings may proceed even if the fine is paid, and this can also cause the vessel to be delayed/detained.