Turkey – Amendments to Marine Pollution related fines

On 15 June 2022, new amendments were promulgated at the Official Gazette no. 31867 concerning the local environmental regulations, including changes to the no. 2872 Environmental Code, governing the administrative fine rates for sea pollution cases in Turkey.

Turkish authorities have announced strict measures for marine pollution and revision on previous articles, for IMO sulphur limits, for pollution inside Specially Protected Areas in Turkiye and for new fines to be applied to share facilities in case they fail to report pollution incidents.

The following have been added to the existing category 4 pollutants which previously included garbage and sewage:

• Domestic wastewater
• Water with detergent
• Foam
• Scrubber system washing waters
• Similar washing waters and solid wastes etc.

The sea pollution fines will be doubled in Special Environmental Protection Zones which also cover the Marmara Region and Straits (contains all ports and anchorage areas within Istanbul, Kocaeli, Yalova, Bursa, Balikesir, Canakkale, Tekirdag).

The level of fines for various categories have also been revised and increased.

Circulars from Kalimbassieris Maritime A.S and Vitsan Claim services provide information concerning the recent amendments in the environmental law in Turkey and the respective pollution fines imposed.

We would like to thank them both for this information.

Categories: Loss Prevention, Pollution