Chinese shipowner Shenzhen Energy Transport were fined for 30 million USD for grounding of the coal carrier Shen Neng 1 on the Great Barrier Reef, six years ago. The fine will be imposed to the shipowner and its insurer, the London P&I Club. The parties reaches an out-court settlement, which is 3 times less than the amount, which prosecutors were originally seeking in the Federal Court for one of the most marine environment damaging ship accidents during the last years. Latest part from the fine will be paid to Australian Government for the cost of removing polluted rubble, while about 3 million USD will cover costs incurred by the Government in the immediate aftermath of the grounding.

The coal carrier Shen Neng 1 ran aground at Douglas Shoal in April 2010, which damaged one of the ship’s fuel tanks and left a giant trail of heavy fuel oil. The grounding caused serious damages to the reef, as well as environmental disaster for the wildwife.

“The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to initiate field operations to remove toxic anti-fouling paint and rubble, which will enable the restoration of the natural ecological processes of the reef”, said Australian Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg. “The anti-fouling paint at Douglas Shoal contains a highly toxic component known as tributyltin, which is now banned from use. The paint also contains copper and zinc. Impacts to marine life on the seafloor could potentially last for many decades if the toxic anti-fouling paint remains in place”, added he.

The coal carrier Shen Neng 1 (IMO: 9040871) has overall length of 225.00 m, moulded beam of 32.66 m and maximum draft of 12.50 m. The deadweight of the ship is 71,181 DWT and gross tonnage of 36,575 GRT.