With thanks to our correspondents Metropole and Kalimbassieris Maritime in Turkey the Club would like to bring to the attention of Members updates on the fines imposed on vessels that are seen to have contravened the Turkish Environmental Code dated 1983, numbered 2872.
The Turkey Pollution Fines Circular – 1st January 2024 issued by the Club’s correspondents, list the restrictions as imposed by the authority and the methodology applied by the authority for calculating the fine amount in the event of contravention.
At a cost per ton of discharge calculation, the fine amount can be significant. These environmental fines are revised annually and have on a year-by-year basis, increased by 58.46% for 2024. As per the circular fines will be doubled in Special Protection Areas.
Pollution fines are imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for:
- Pollution from petroleum tankers and derivatives.
- Dirty ballast discharged to sea by tankers.
- Pollution from ships that release petroleum/petroleum derivatives (Bilge, oil mud, freight mud, fuel oil, oil waste or dirty ballast).
- Pollution from discharge of sewage, detergent water, foam, exhaust gas washing system water or any other kind of washing water or solid wastes.
- Bunker of the vessel exceeding maximum sulphur content of bunker for the vessels that do not use approved pollution reduction methods (determined as 0.5%; and 0.1% for the vessels navigating in the SOx Emission Control Areas)
Fines issued by the authorities due to an alleged pollution must be paid or sufficient and suitable security must be put up immediately and in full. Otherwise, the vessel is likely to be arrested. If the fine is paid within the 30 day appeal period a 25% discount becomes applicable.
In addition to the administrative pollution fines set out in the tariff, the Harbour Master may also impose a fine of up to TL 5,000,000 in circumstances requiring application of emergency response actions or emergency services due to collisions, breakages, fires, explosions or similar incidents causing damage or sea pollution.
To mitigate against such fines, it is suggested that Members consider the recommendations and guidelines as included within the circular.
Correspondents Circulars
Kalimbassieris Maritime
Metropole
Members are advised to seek details of the most up to date information through their local agents.
For further information please contact the Loss Prevention Department, Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd.
Tel: +44 20 7247 5490
e-mail [email protected]
