Federal court fines Egyptian and Singaporean shipping lines for concealing pollution in Gulf of Mexico

The Federal Court in Texas has issued a USD 1.9 mn fine against two shipping companies, one of which is Egyptian, for concealing pollution in the Gulf of Mexico, American Shipper reports. The Tanker Company of Egypt and Singapore's Thome Ship Management “illegally dumped oil-contaminated bilge water and garbage off the coast of eastern Texas and then attempted to conceal their behavior,” violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. The two shipping lines are also charged with obstruction of justice and, as part of their verdict, will also be required to fund “marine and coastal restoration” at three National Wildlife Refuges on the Gulf of Mexico.