Working Conditions Aboard the Al-Bateen

On November 27, 2025, the public prosecutor's office in Marseille imposed hefty fines totaling €465,000 on four vessels for violations related to marine and air pollution. This action followed the signing of Judicial Agreements in the Public Interest (CJIPs), a specialized process that stipulated not only financial penalties but also mandated compliance measures from the offending ships. The first case involved two Italian vessels that had traversed the port of Marseille during the winter of 2022, resulting in a combined fine of €165,000. The 'Jolly Vanadio', now rebranded as 'Al Samha', was found to have discharged wash water illegally into the sea for an alarming six-hour period while anchored near the Côte Bleue. The second Italian ship, the 'Jolly Palladio', currently known as 'Al Bateen', was penalized for emitting sulfur levels that drastically exceeded legal limits. Another significant case included the bulk carrier 'SM Roberts Banks', registered under the Marshall Islands and operated by a Korean firm. This vessel, which was engaged in transporting iron ore, was fined €120,000 after it was discovered discharging untreated contaminated water off the coast of Fos in the fall of 2023. The most egregious offenses were attributed to the tanker 'Kriti King', flagged in Liberia and operated by a Greek company. Found guilty of three serious violations while anchored in Fos in February 2024, this vessel faced an imposing fine of €180,000. The nuances of the case revealed the use of an open-loop scrubber that resulted in the alarming release of 72 million liters of toxic seawater. These recent penalties highlight an increasing crackdown on maritime pollution, emphasizing the necessity for compliance within the shipping industry.