Revised Environmental Marine Pollution Fines For 2018

Pursuant to Article 20 of the Turkish Environmental Code no. 1983 (the "Code"), fines are imposed on vessels for causing pollution in Turkish waters through discharge of petroleum products, dirty ballast, garbage and sewage into the sea. The quantum of the fines are determined by a tariff that is revised annually. The tariff below contains the updated rates for the year 2018 and have entered into force on 1 January 2018.

It should be noted that vessels discharging hazardous substances are fined 10 times the amounts indicated for petroleum products in tariff 1 and 3 above. Vessels which pollute the environment repeatedly also face heavier fines: first recurrence within 3 years will lead to the doubling of the fine whereas second and further recurrences will lead to a 200% increase. On the other hand, if the vessel manages to remove the pollution by her own means, only 1/3 of the above rates are imposed.