A respected university laboratory has been ‘named and shamed’ in the long-running investigation into a leak of five tons of fuel oil into Sines port 18 months ago.
Jornal de Notícias broke the news this morning, saying Évora university’s CIEMAR laboratory (standing for sciences of the sea) is suspected of having falsified its analysis of the port’s waters following the leak.
Says the paper, CIEMAR “did not detect pollution”, and its findings therefore let the company responsible ‘off the hook’ legally.
Dogged investigation, involving “another study”, pointed to very different results however.
Four ‘arguidos’ have since been identified – all connected to the ship that caused the leak. They stand accused of the crimes of pollution with common danger, falsifying documentation and pollution of the marine environment.
It is not immediately clear what charges CIEMAR may now face. The leak in itself barely merited more than a few paragraphs at the time, as it was rapidly contained with six ‘anti-pollution’ boats using containment booms and special absorbents.
But the bottom line was that the State spent roughly €180,000 on the clean-up operation (this was reported by Observador last year), and if it was indeed an environmental crime, the fine, say maritime websites, could reach €2.5 million.
Observador reported in May last year that the Public Ministry will be seeking a full refund for the State’s expenditure plus interest on arrears.
When the leak was detected, ports authorities were forced to stop all ships in and out of Sines for two days (October 3 – 5).
natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
Photo: MSC Patrícia, the container carrier cited in this investigation led by Maritime Police and Setúbal’s Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DIAP)
