Taiwanese carrier Evergreen has just been slapped with a $676 200 fine to help mitigate the impact on aquatic habitats, namely oysters, after the Ever Forward ran aground in Chesapeake Bay on March 31 last year.
It took more than a month to refloat the 2020-built, 20 124-TEU vessel.
According to online portal gCaptain, the Maryland Board of Public Works has approved a wetlands licence that requires the owner of the containership to pay the $676 200 fine, which will go to the seeding and enhancement of natural oyster bars.
The Coast Guard’s investigations revealed that cell phone distraction by the pilot had caused the incident.
