Israeli government fines Ashdod Port for sulfur spill

Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP) has imposed a fine of $600,000 on the Mediterranean seaport for marine pollution infractions.    Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP) has imposed a fine of 2.7 million Israeli New Sheqels (U.S. $695,217) on Ashdod Port for pollution infractions, according to a statement from the agency.
   MoEP alleges the Mediterranean port’s staff did not follow proper environmental protocols in unloading ships, which caused one vessel to spill sulfur particles into the sea.
   Inspectors discovered the pollution in July 2015, “when they saw a large sulfur stain that had spread from a ship that was anchored” at Ashdod, said MoEP.
   “The inspectors found that the sulfur spill was the result of sulfur being unloaded in an unsafe manner by the port’s staff, a manner that went against the conditions detailed in Ashdod Port’s permit to discharge materials into the sea,” it added. “In fact, staff members continued to improperly discharge the sulfur even after the stain began to accumulate, and after they saw an MoEP vehicle in the area. The staff only stopped what they were doing after an inspector that the foreman put an end to it.”
   MoEP said it is imposing the fine in accordance with the 1983 Prevention of Sea Pollution Law (Dumping of Waste).