B.C. gets green light to sue Greek shipper over 2015 bunker fuel dump
by The Canadian Press
The MV Marathassa, operated by Alassia NewShips Management Inc., leaked 2,700 litres of bunker fuel into Vancouver's English Bay in April 2015
VANCOUVER—A Greek shipping firm accused of operating a vessel that spilled thousands of litres of fuel into Vancouver’s English Bay will be prosecuted regardless of whether it participates in the legal proceedings.
A decision filed Friday in British Columbia’s provincial court says it is “abundantly clear” that Alassia NewShips Management Inc. knew it faced 10 pollution-related offences.
The charges followed a Transport Canada investigation into the MV Marathassa, which leaked 2,700 litres of bunker fuel in April 2015.
Alassia had argued it was not properly notified about the proceedings, but Judge Kathryn Denhoff says in her written decision that the summons was successfully delivered on two occasions.
Denhoff says the summons was served to the company’s lawyer as well as to the captain of another vessel operated by Alassia, who she says qualified as a company representative despite being a contract employee.
The trial against both Alassia and the Marathassa over the English Bay leak is scheduled to begin on Feb. 26.
