Vessel Captain Fined 50,000 Euros for Scrubber Waste Discharge

A court in France fined the captain of a bulk carrier, the Seaforce, 50,000 euros (approximately $55,000) after the vessel released about one million liters of scrubber wash water near Fos-Sur-Mer. Although the captain claimed he was unaware of the discharge, the court held him accountable for ensuring that operations aboard his vessel complied with regulations.

The incident took place in March 2023, when the Seaforce  reportedly discharged scrubber waste in the waters of Fos-Sur-Mer. Since January 1, 2022, France has prohibited such discharges, reflecting the country's strict environmental protection policies.

Initially, the charge carried a maximum penalty of 4,000 euros. However, during a November 2023 hearing, the case was reclassified to “pollution of the territorial sea,” a more serious offense that could lead to fines of up to 100,000 euros. 

This reclassification highlighted the gravity of the infraction, and the prosecution dismissed the captain's assertion that he was unaware of the discharge, emphasizing his duty to enforce compliance on board.

Appearing in court in Marseille on September 2, the 66-year-old Filipino captain faced a proposed penalty of 50,000 euros, which the court upheld in a final ruling in October.