Singapore vessel that ran aground Milandhoo reef fined MVR 12mn

A Singapore company tug boat that ran aground Sh. Milandhoo's reef last year was fined MVR 12 million.

As per the statement released by the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) yesterday, the tug boat "SHWE LIN YONE" (IMO: 9750488) registered to the Republic of Niue, sailed to Maldives under an agent from Atoll Navigations Services Pvt Ltd. The tug boat ran aground onto Milandhoo's reef on October 3, 2024.

The tug boat was salvaged on October 19, 2024. The ERA stated that the owners of the vessel had arranged surveyors to work with the ERA to assess the damages to the reef on November 7 and 8, 2024.

The ERA said that the reef had sustained damages across 477 square meters, with it being apparent that part of the reef had been destroyed.

And so, the ERA said that with the damages to the reef environment, a fine of MVR 12,006,200 was determined under Maldives' Environment Law, specifically the regulation that determines penalization and compensation for damages to the environment.

The ERA stated that the compensation is to be paid within 30 days to the authority by the owners of the tug boat, Singapore-based Gloha Maritime Company. The company was informed of this last Wednesday.