Russian polluting ship not paying fines

TALLINN - The operator of the oil tanker Mekhanik has failed to pay a pollution fine totaling more than five million kroons (320,000 euro). Voronkov caused pollution in Estonia's Muuga port in November 2007 and it has proven to be difficult to claim the money from Russia through legal means.

Leili Tuul, spokesperson for the Estonian Environment Inspectorate, said Estonia has sent a claim to the ship's representatives on two occasions. First the claim was addressed to a company located in London, which however did not regard itself as bearing liability. The claim was then sent to the ship's Russian operator Volgotanker.

"Claiming pollution charges from Russia has turned out extremely difficult. In lawyer talk the claim is not executable directly, that is, you cannot claim the money directly through a bailiff," Tuul told BNS.

The Estonian inspectorate has not lost hope and continues to look for a solution, she added.

More than three tons of heavy oil spilled onto the deck of the Mekhanik Voronkov and  into the sea as a result of a technical malfunction during the pumping of oil into the tanker at the Pakterminal quay in Muuga port during the night of November 29, 2007.

In the cold water, the heavy oil lumped quickly and pollution fighting vessels were able to collect it quite successfully.

Some oil however, collected at the pollution site ended up in nearby Ihasalu Bay.