MPs yesterday completed a mammoth law governing maritime operations in Bahrain.

The new 392-article Maritime Law, which has been referred to the Shura Council, imposes tough jail sentences and hefty fines for violations involving illegal activities at sea, causing pollution and transporting unlicensed cargo, amongst other violations.

The government-drafted bill is second-largest in Bahrain’s legislative history after the 418-article 1976 Penal Code.

The GDN previously reported that the law stipulates fines between BD1,000 and BD10,000 or jail sentences of up to six months for violations related to unlicensed operations, unauthorised cargo and lack of safety requirements.

It also has jail sentences of up to six months for ship-owners, managers, captains or agents who evade fees or taxes or cheat officials, along with a fine of up to BD10,000, or both.

Vessel owners or operators causing pollution will be fined between BD5,000 and BD50,000 and the ship will be temporarily seized, with the fine doubled if the offence is repeated.

Dumping oil and chemicals at sea earns up to five years in jail and fines of between BD15,000 and BD150,000, with the penalty doubling if the offence is repeated.

Carrying harmful materials without licence is punishable with up to three years in jail, fines of between BD15,000 and BD150,000, or both, which will be doubled if repeated.

Dumping garbage or sewage water, along with failed checks on emissions, are punishable with up to three years in jail, fines of between BD10,000 and BD100,000, or both.

The fine will be doubled if the offence reoccurs, while the captain will be jailed for up to two years and fined up to BD20,000.

Captains who fail to report pollution caused by their ships will also be fined between BD1,000 and BD3,000, and captains whose ships carry unauthorised nuclear waste will be fined between BD50,000 and BD100,000.

Unlicensed port entry or departure by vessels also carries fines of between BD10,000 and BD100,000, while failure to provide information or presenting false data will be punished with fines of between BD300 and BD1,000.

mohammed@gdn.com.bh

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