Pollution fines in Turkey have been subject to a regular annual increase for many years. As per the latest amendments brought into effect from 1st January 2022, there is another significant increase in the penalty amounts levied for fines applied by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) against the offending vessels.
Details of Turkey’s environmental pollution penalty revisions and fines now applicable after the increase are set out in a circular from the Club’s correspondent, Metropole Maritime & Trading Ltd Co., which can be found here.
If a vessel is fined and detained for an alleged pollution incident in Turkish waters, the local P&I correspondent should be contacted immediately for assistance. It is important to note that the authorities do not need to substantiate their allegations. It is up to the vessel to prove otherwise, making pollution fines in Turkey very difficult to challenge.
Source: West P&I
