New Fines Introduced For Non-Compliance

Since its entry into force on 10 November, 2006, the Regulation on General Inspection and Certification of Ships (the "Regulation") has been the principal legislation in respect of issues relation to inspection of ships and their equipment and certificates. This regulation is not only applicable to Turkish vessel alone. It becomes applicable to foreign flagged vessels upon their entry into Turkish waters and ports.

Article 57 of the Regulation, which provides for fines to be imposed in case of breach of the Regulation's provisions, referred to the fines set out under the Law on Protection of Life and Property at Sea numbered 4922 (the "Law"). In short, the Law foresees pecuniary fines of between TRL 500 – 10,000 depending on the type and gravity of the breach.