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In Turkish waters, environmental protection is developing and significant fines are applicable to vessels that violate Turkish anti-pollution regulations in accordance with the Turkish Environmental Code. The Metropole Maritime & Trading Ltd. Co. has issued recommendations on the foresaid updated fines.
Every year the fine amounts are revised as per the declaration in the Official Gazette at the start of that respective year. According to the declaration of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, published in Official Gazette dated 27 December 2016, the pollution fines between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017 have been updated.
Recommendations
- De-ballasting operations should be avoided unless the ballast water was checked and confirmed to be clean.
- All overboard discharge valves should be closed and secured/sealed in closed position.
- All deck scuppers should be plugged and any gaps in the fish plate surrounding the deck should be closed.
- Hose test of hatch covers, hydrostatic test of deck pipes/hoses or other equipment should not be performed.
- Washing of decks and superstructure should be avoided.
- Treated water from the sewage system and grey water should be transferred to a holding tank and should not be discharged until the vessel is outside Turkish waters.
- Cargo residues, cargo space cleaning residues, all garbage and other substances should not be disposed in Turkish waters.
- The vessel’s hull should not be scrapped, chipped or painted while alongside the pier or at anchor.
- While the vessel is at the shipyard or in dry dock, even if the pollution is caused by the negligence of the shipyard, its employees or agents, the ship may be held vicariously liable for the pollution fine. Therefore the crew members should exercise care and they should immediately protest in writing to the shipyard where they believe pollution took place.
Further details may be found here