Regarding the punishment of the vessel Tuju Arrow for illegal discharge by the Maritime Bureau we immediately contacted the captain and agent upon receiving the commission and learned that the Ma

Regarding the punishment of the vessel Tuju Arrow for illegal discharge by the Maritime Bureau, we promptly contacted the captain and agent upon receiving the commission. We were informed that the Maritime Bureau required the crew to bring relevant documents to the bureau for investigation at 13:30 in the afternoon. Without delay, we accompanied the crew to the Maritime Bureau for the investigation. Here is what we learned on-site:

During a pollution prevention inspection conducted by maritime officials this morning, it was discovered that treated sewage was being directly discharged into the sea instead of being stored in the holding tank. Further communication with the crew revealed that untreated sewage was also being directly discharged into the Bohai Bay. As a consequence, the Maritime Bureau has decided to impose administrative penalties on the vessel.

Through our communication with the crew, we discovered that they were unaware that the Bohai Bay is considered Chinese internal waters within the baseline (see Annex 1). Consequently, they discharged sewage directly into the sea while navigating in the Bohai Bay.

According to the MARPOL Convention, untreated sewage cannot be discharged in internal waters. Furthermore, as per the Ship Water Pollution Discharge Control Standard GB3552-2018, even treated sewage should not be discharged during vessel navigation (see Annex 2).

Therefore, the Maritime Bureau has determined that our vessel has violated the aforementioned regulations and will impose administrative penalties on it.