Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP) has imposed a fine of NIS 2.7 million (US$695,217) on the port of Ashdod, for marine pollution infractions.
MoEP noted that the port will be fined in accordance with the 1983 Prevention of Sea Pollution Law (Dumping of Waste).
The sanctioning has been imposed as it has been determined that the port’s staff had in July 2015 unloaded ships improperly and contrary to MoEP instructions, causing particles of sulfur, a hazardous material, to spill into the sea and to flow along the harbor toward nearby fish cages.
The ministry said “The inspectors found that the sulfur spill was the result of sulfur being unloaded in an unsafe manner by the port’s staff, a manner that went against the conditions detailed in Ashdod Port’s permit to discharge materials into the sea. In fact, staff members continued to improperly discharge the sulfur even after the stain began to accumulate, and after they saw an MoEP vehicle in the area.”
