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Maersk fined in Spain after locals spot boxship belching excessive emissions

Observant Spanish locals last week spotted a boxship belching out more smoke than normal, leading to a swift EUR20,000 ($22,435) fine for Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company.

The 2007-built, 6,478 teu Maersk Sembawang was caught as it came in to the port of Algericas, its excessive emissions blamed on a faulty main engine.

Nearby residents saw the huge plumes of black smoke coming from the ship and got in touch with a local environmental body who then alerted the port authorities.

 

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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