Dumping Oil in Texas Waters Costs Greek Shippers $4 Million

Two Greek shipping companies pleaded guilty to dumping oil in the waters of two Texas ports.

Avin International Ltd., and Nicos I.V. Special Maritime Enterprises were fined $4 million and will serve a four-year probation term, during which ships operated by the companies will be required to enact an environmental compliance plan and have an independent auditor inspect the companies’ vessels. The plea agreement was entered Nov. 26.

A ship owned by Nicos and operated by Avin had discharged water contaminated with oil from its ballast system twice into the Port of Houston’s waters on July ...