Good morning. In this week’s edition: U.S. Justice Department Levies Heavy Fine on Ship Operator for Oily Waste Violations; Concern in India as Pakistan, Bangladesh restore sea ties, Amazon, IKEA Form Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance To Go Green In Shipping

MARITIME HEADLINE

Mexican Ship Manager Fined $1.75M for MARPOL Violations

The U.S. Department of Justice has fined Gremex Shipping S.A., a Mexican ship management company, nearly $2 million for violations of MARPOL regulations. The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal bilge water discharges and compliance with international environmental standards.

In August 2023, U.S. Coast Guard inspectors boarded the cement-carrying bulker Suhar at the port of Pensacola. Evidence indicated that untreated bilge water had been discharged at sea, bypassing the oily water separator, with falsified entries in the oil record book. Such discharges save on disposal costs but pose significant environmental risks.

Gremex Shipping pleaded guilty to failing to maintain accurate records and agreed to a $1.75 million fine, payable over three years. The firm will also implement an environmental compliance plan for the Grit Cement IV. Notably, no individual crewmembers or executives were charged in this case.

MARPOL violations are prosecuted as criminal offenses in the U.S., underscoring the importance of strict compliance to avoid severe penalties.

MESSAGE FOR YOU

WORLD MARITIME

-🚨Amazon, IKEA, and over 30 companies are joining forces under the Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) to boost demand for green fuels like e-methanol and accelerate maritime decarbonization by 2050. Starting in 2027, ZEMBA will award contracts for cargo transport using near-zero-emissions fuels, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 470,000 metric tons. Companies expect initial higher costs for these e-fuels, but anticipate prices will decrease with scale. The International Maritime Organization is preparing regulations to promote low-carbon fuels, as shipping contributes over 3% of global GHG emissions.

-🛟Denmark will ban ship scrubber water discharge in its territorial waters starting July 1, 2025, to combat marine pollution. Scrubber water from “open scrubbers” contains harmful metals and tars that affect marine life and humans. The government will also regulate “closed-loop scrubbers,” requiring waste disposal at ports. Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke highlighted the risks, noting toxins can end up in the food chain. The ban, effective up to 14 nautical miles offshore, aims to reduce nickel pollution by 20% and anthracene by 7%. Denmark seeks similar bans in the Baltic and North Seas.

-🔥The containership Dali, which hit Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge eight months ago, arrived at Fuzhou Port, China, on November 13 after a two-month journey from Norfolk, Virginia. Damaged and without cargo, it will undergo major repairs, including a bow replacement at Fujian Huadong Shipyard. Legal issues continue, with a U.S. court trial set for June 2026 to address liability limits. Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine deny responsibility but paid $100 million for cleanup and $100,000 for oil contamination. Testimony starts in December 2024, with the investigation ongoing until mid-2025. Compensation claims include those from Maryland, Baltimore, and affected families.

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INDIAN MARITIME

-🎯 India is concerned after Pakistan and Bangladesh restored direct sea links for the first time since 1971. A cargo vessel from Karachi arrived in Chittagong, marking renewed ties that could impact regional security, with fears of contraband reaching insurgents in India. The development comes after a shift in Bangladesh’s government and signals potential geopolitical shifts, as Bangladesh now plans to join a naval exercise in Pakistan.

-♟️The Indian Navy held a keel-laying ceremony for its first fleet support ship at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on November 14, 2024. Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar and senior officials attended. The Navy’s agreement with HSL, signed in August 2023, involves building five ships to enhance blue water capabilities by mid-2027. These 40,000-ton ships will resupply naval vessels at sea, support humanitarian missions, and boost local industry under the Make in India initiative. The project aligns with India’s self-reliance goals and is expected to create significant employment and involve 550 MSMEs.

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