The Norwegian National Authority of Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) reported yesterday that Altera Shuttle Tankers has agreed to cop a fine of NOK8m ($720,000) in a long-running case involving the beaching of a pair of ships for demolition in India.
Both ships were broken up on a beach in Alang, India, between 2018 and 2020.
Norway has adopted an extensive body of European Union rules in the area, and EU-flagged ships must be recycled in EU-approved shipyards. The Indian shipyard that broke up these ships has applied for EU approval, but was deemed not to meet EU environmental standards.
“Our investigation has revealed that the company was well aware of the applicable rules and regulations, and that profitability was one of the reasons why the company chose to scrap its ships in India. Environmental crime harms both the environment and our economic system, said police prosecutor Maria Bache Dahl.
The fine was originally issued in June and was initially not accepted by the company. Hence, the case went to court, and a four-week trial was scheduled to commence in January 2025. Now there will be no trial, as the company has accepted the fine.
Altera is in the process of being sold to Greece’s Angelicoussis Group.