A Greek shipping company, Eurobulk Ltd., has been convicted for violating environmental laws in the United States. The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and falsifying records during a port call by its vessel, the Good Heart, in Corpus Christi in April 2023.
The U.S. District Court, presided over by Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, sentenced Eurobulk Ltd. to pay a criminal fine of $1.125 million. Additionally, the company is required to serve four years on probation with an environmental compliance plan monitored to ensure adherence.
“It is crucial that we strive to eliminate threats to our waters through holding overseas corporations accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. He emphasized that his office will pursue justice when foreign vessels fail to comply with APPS and attempt cover-ups.
Rear Admiral David Barata of the USCG’s Eighth District highlighted the importance of accountability for those who breach marine pollution prevention laws: “This outcome directly reflects our dedication...and we encourage the public to continue reporting any suspicious activities.”
The charges stemmed from false records presented by a crew member of the Liberia-flagged Motor Vessel Good Heart during its U.S. port call, aiming to hide illegal transfers and discharges of oily bilge water.
Christos Charitos, the vessel's former chief engineer and a Greek national aged 72, had earlier admitted guilt regarding an APPS charge for failing to log discharges in the ship’s Oil Record Book (ORB). Charitos received a $2,000 fine.
Court documents revealed that Charitos instructed lower-ranking personnel twice in April 2023 to discharge oil-containing duct keel contents into the sea without using mandatory equipment. Moreover, he ordered modifications that compromised oil content monitoring devices.
The case was investigated by the USCG’s Investigative Service (CGIS), with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Marck and Liesel Roscher alongside Senior Trial Attorney Kenneth E. Nelson from the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section.