A Japanese firm spilled oily wastewater into an ocean and then forged papers to try and hide the offense, according to the US Justice Department, which fined the company $1.75 million (£1.2 million).
According to a US district judge, a vessel operated by Hiong Guan Navegacion Japan did not utilise its installed wastewater treatment facility to treat the oily waste, but instead dumped it straight into the waters off Tampa Bay, Florida.
The Coast Guard examined the vessel's books, which indicated that it had discharged the waste directly into the sea.
John Cruden, assistant attorney general for the justice department, said: "Hiong Guan is paying for failing to follow the law by, among other things, attempting to mislead the Coast Guard with falsified environmental compliance records."
The European Union is considering introducing regulations that make tanker pollution within its waters illegal, it was revealed last week.
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