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Crown gets go-ahead to prosecute Greek shipping company in B.C. fuel spill

Jan 12, 2018 | 6:15 PM

VANCOUVER — A Greek shipping firm accused of operating a vessel that spilled thousands of litres of fuel into Vancouver’s English Bay will be prosecuted regardless of whether it participates in the legal proceedings.

A decision filed Friday in British Columbia’s provincial court says it is “abundantly clear” that Alassia NewShips Management Inc. knew it faced 10 pollution-related offences.

The charges followed a Transport Canada investigation into the MV Marathassa, which leaked 2,700 litres of bunker fuel in April 2015.

Alassia had argued it was not properly notified about the proceedings, but Judge Kathryn Denhoff says in her written decision that the summons was successfully delivered on two occasions.