Netherlands files criminal charges against local ship owner

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has filed criminal charges against Netherlands-based ship owner Seatrade Groningen B.V. and is likely to fine the firm up to $3 million for breaking up four ships in violation of the European Waste Shipment Regulations, World Maritime News reported. The prosecution service said that Seatrade sold vessels to scrap yards in countries like India and Turkey with poor working conditions and substandard environmental practices. It has also called for confiscation of the profits that Seatrade made on the illegal sale of the ships and a six-month prison sentence for three of Seatrade's top executives.

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