Navios Amaryllis, the ship which went aground on the protected Rasfari reef and caused significant damage, will be permitted to leave the Maldives only after paying MVR 109 million in fines, the environment ministry has said.
According to local media, the bulk carrier must pay the maximum sum that may be levied as a fine for environmental harm under Maldives legislation, MVR 100 million in fines, and another MVR 9 million as a deposit.
Furthermore, the owner must present documentation declaring that the company will accept responsibility for damages following a thorough evaluation.
The bulk carrier travelling from Tuticorin, India, to South Africa ran aground on the reef west of K. Rasfari on August 19. Authorities informed that the ship was refloated after 10 days on August 29.
The ship’s third engine unit was shut down owing to high temperatures, causing it to be thrown adrift in open water and eventually go aground, according to authorities.
During a news conference on August 27, Deputy Minister of Transport Hamad Abdul Ghanee informed local media that the captain failed to alert authorities of an engine problem before the bulk carrier ran aground.
According to the transport ministry, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maldives Coast Guard have begun an environmental damage assessment caused by the ship in accordance with protocol.
