Foreign Shipping Company Fined $2M for Dumping Oil in Gulf Waters

A Norway-based shipping company has been fined $2 million for illegally dumping oil-contaminated waste into the Gulf of America.

V.Ships Norway A.S. (V.Ships) pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships after oily bilge water and waste were discharged from the Motor Tanker Swift Winchester. The company also admitted that the incidents were deliberately concealed in falsified records.

While the vessel entered ports in Texas and Louisiana, the discharges occurred in the Gulf of America, raising concerns among environmental advocates and coastal residents about the broader impact on marine life and coastal economies.

“Dumping oil-contaminated waste into the waters around our ports and coasts violates the law and poses an unnecessary health and environmental hazard,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The crew took pains to hide their illegal activity by knowingly keeping inaccurate records. We will not turn a blind eye to this kind of irresponsible and fraudulent activity.”

The Gulf of America, previously known as the Gulf of Mexico, is bordered by five U.S. states, including Florida. It serves as a vital hub for shipping, tourism, and commercial fishing. Illegal pollution in these waters can have ripple effects that extend far beyond the immediate discharge site.

Investigators determined that the crew of the Swift Winchester had been discharging oily waste directly into the Gulf, bypassing the ship’s pollution control systems. To conceal the practice, a hose was rigged between the vessel’s incinerator waste oil tank and its sewage holding tank, allowing contaminated waste to be pumped overboard between February and August 2022.

The scheme came to light when a junior crew member reported the setup to a company superintendent, who later found evidence of oil in the sewage tank. The company dismissed the ship’s chief engineer, but the illegal practices continued. In August 2022, the new chief engineer instructed the crew to clean the vessel’s Oil Water Separator filter by washing it with degreaser on deck, which caused oily residue to run directly into the sea through a scupper.

The Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit in Port Arthur later boarded the vessel. During their inspection, a crew member came forward with photos and videos showing the pollution, as well as details about how the waste had been dumped. Officials also discovered that the ship’s Oil Record Book had been deliberately falsified when the tanker called at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on August 25, 2022, and at Port Arthur, Texas, on September 7, 2022.

“The criminal prosecution of this case underlines our commitment to enforcing the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis for the Middle District of Louisiana. “The illegal discharge of bilge water and oily waste from vessels poses a significant threat to our waters and marine life and by holding those accountable who violate these standards, we send a clear message that we will not tolerate actions that endanger our environment. We remain dedicated to ensuring that the maritime industry operates responsibly and in compliance with environmental laws.”

The Gulf supports everything from Florida’s delicate coral reefs to white-sand beaches, both of which are sensitive to oil contamination. Environmental officials warn that even relatively small discharges can harm fish populations, seabirds, and marine mammals that cross state waters.

V.Ships was ordered to pay $2 million in fines after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court. The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by international shipping companies that traverse U.S. waters and underscores the importance of strict enforcement to protect the Gulf of Mexico and Florida’s coasts.

Do you think $2M is justice for dumping oil in the Gulf? Let us know in the comments below.