Trial halted against Greek shipping firm in fuel spill case

The B.C. Court of Appeal says a Greek shipping firm accused of operating a vessel that spilled thousands of litres of bunker fuel into Vancouver’s English Bay was not properly served a summons.

The ruling means the trial for Alassia NewShips Management Inc., which began last month in provincial court, is over unless a new summons is served.

Alassia and the vessel MV Marathassa were charged in 2017 with 10 environmental related offences, including alleged violations under the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environment Protection Act, following a Transport Canada investigation.

Crown prosecutor John Walker said Wednesday the charges remain and weren’t dismissed by the Appeal Court ruling.

“A summons could be applied for again and could be attempted to be served again,” he said, adding it’s not yet known if that option will be pursued. “The practical difficulty is that Alassia is a Greek corporation and service must be accomplished in Canada.”

Walker said while the trial against Alassia has been discontinued, the proceedings against the Marathassa are moving ahead.

Court documents say the summons was served to the captain of a different ship operated by Alassia, which was anchored in Nanaimo’s harbour. The firm did not appear before the courts, but a justice of the peace determined the summons had been properly served and the court had jurisdiction over the prosecution of Alassia.

A provincial court judge ruled earlier this year that Alassia was aware of the charges and the trial could go ahead without the firm’s participation in the proceedings.

The firm contested the procedure and the Appeal Court agreed that it was not valid.