Middle East Marine LLC, which owns the two vessels that ran aground in Kaafu atoll Vaavehdhi reef has been fined MVR 100 million for damages. The vessels; a barge (AM AAGAM) and a tug boat (ALPIT) ran aground on July 23, 2022.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said a survey was conducted in August last year to investigate the damages caused to the environment, after the vessels had been refloated.
"The reef has suffered serious damages to an area of 3,926 square meters," the EPA said in a statement today.
The owner has now been asked to pay MVR 100 million in compensation for the damage to the reef environment, EPA said.
A total of MVR 148,381,500 was quoted as fines for environmental damage and compensation. However, as MVR 100 million is the maximum fine prescribed in the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of the Maldives is, the fine was reduced to MVR 100 million, according to EPA.
The Middle East Marine LLC has been given 30 days to pay the amount to EPA.
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