Shipping company fined for discharging oily waste into ocean

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Japanese shipping company that delivered products to the Wilmington port will pay a million dollar fine for environmental pollution crimes.

The company operated the Motor Vessel Atlantic Oasis.

An inspection by the US Coast Guard last May revealed the crew had dumped oily waste into the ocean and then tried to cover it up.

The ship’s chief engineer has already been convicted and sentenced for falsifying the oil record book as well as a fine.

The company was placed on probation and must implement an environmental compliance plan.