The U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release on February 26 that a Singapore-based tanker operator pleaded guilty in a northern California district court to illegally dumping oil bilge into the sea.
According to the department, Unix Line PTE Ltd.’s 16,408 gross-ton tanker, Zao Galaxy, dumped the oily bilge overboard between its departure from the Philippines on January 21, 2019, and arrival at the Port of Richmond in northern California on February 11, 2019.
The ship was carrying a shipment of palm oil at the time.
When U.S. Coast Guard officers boarded the ship at Richmond, they discovered that during the voyage a Unix Line-affiliated ship officer ordered the crew to discharge oily bilge water overboard using a contraption of drums, flexible pipe and flanges to bypass the vessel’s oil water separator. The discharges were not recorded in the Zao Galaxy’s oil record book.
Unix Line’s action violated the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, the Justice Department said.
The company’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 20 before U.S. District Court Judge Jon Tigar in Oakland, California.
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The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
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