United States v. V. Ships Norway, A.S.

On August 27, 2025, V. Ships Norway, A.S. pleaded guilty to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C § 1908(a)). The company was sentenced to pay a $2 million fine, complete a four-year term of probation, and implement an Environmental Compliance Plan.

V. Ships Norway operated the M/T Swift Winchester. On several occasions, crew members transferred oily waste from the vessel’s incinerator waste oil tank into the sewage tank. That oily waste was then discharged directly into the ocean without using the required pollution prevention equipment. 
The vessel’s Chief Engineer also ordered the crew to clean the Oil Water Separator filters on the ship’s deck. The crew hosed off the filters, allowing the oil and debris to run over the side of the ship into the ocean. The vessel then entered the ports of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Port Arthur, Texas, with a knowingly falsified Oil Record Book.

The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service and Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur conducted the investigation.