BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — Two Greek shipping companies have been fined $4 million in a U.S. plea deal for not reporting 2017 illegal oil discharges by a tanker at some Texas ports.
Avin International LTD and Nicos I.V. Special Maritime Enterprises were
formally sentenced
Friday in Beaumont. The companies
in November
pleaded guilty to obstruction of an agency proceeding, failure to report discharge of oil and negligent discharge of oil.
Prosecutors say the Nicos I.V. in July 2017 discharged oil from its ballast system into the Port of Houston and the Port Arthur area.
The companies were placed on four years of probation and must implement an environmental compliance plan, including inspections by an independent auditor.
Two crewmembers who pleaded guilty to making false statements to the Coast Guard were fined $10,000 each.
