Alamdar Hamdani U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Greek shipping company, Eurobulk Ltd., has admitted guilt and received sentencing for violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and record falsification. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The infractions occurred in April 2023 during a port call by the vessel Good Heart in Corpus Christi. Eurobulk Ltd. acknowledged its actions regarding both pollution prevention and record-keeping during this visit.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has imposed a criminal fine of $1.125 million on the company, along with a four-year probation period. During probation, Eurobulk will adhere to an environmental compliance plan under monitorship to ensure future adherence to regulations.
“It is crucial that we strive to eliminate threats to our waters through holding overseas corporations accountable,” stated Ganjei. He emphasized the importance of seeking justice when foreign vessels do not comply with APPS and attempt cover-ups, citing the environmental damage and record falsifications as justification for the sentence.
Rear Admiral David Barata, commander of the USCG’s Eighth District, remarked on the outcome: “This outcome directly reflects our dedication to holding those who violate laws designed to prevent pollution of the marine environment accountable." He highlighted ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard and partners in protecting waters and encouraged public reporting of suspicious activities as vital for preserving marine ecosystems.
The charges stemmed from a United States port call where a crew member aboard the Liberia-flagged Motor Vessel Good Heart presented false records to conceal illegal transfers and discharges of oily bilge water from the ship.
Christos Charitos, former chief engineer of Good Heart and Greek national aged 72, had previously pleaded guilty on an APPS charge related to failing to document discharges in the vessel's Oil Record Book (ORB). Charitos was fined $2,000.
Court documents revealed that Charitos instructed lower-ranking engine personnel on at least two occasions in April 2023 to discharge duct keel contents directly into the sea without using an Oily Water Separator (OWS), resulting in oil discharges unrecorded in ORB entries.
Further misconduct involved ordering a fresh water connection to be made with OWS equipment, which misled oil content meters about actual discharge oil levels. These incidents were also omitted from required records.
The case investigation was conducted by USCG’s Investigative Service (CGIS).
Prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Marck and Liesel Roscher alongside Senior Trial Attorney Kenneth E. Nelson from Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section.
