The master of the New Diamond VLCC that caught fire off Sri Lanka last month has been fined LKR 12m ($65,000) for pollution offences.
The unnamed Greek national pleaded guilty to two charges at Colombo High Court, the Daily News reported.
The New Shipping-managed, 300,000-dwt ship (built 2000) suffered a blaze in the Indian Ocean on 3 September, creating a slick over more than a mile of sea.
Sri Lanka's deputy solicitor general Dileepa Pieris, appearing on behalf of the attorney general, sought an order from the court for a fine of LKR 200m.
But Judge Dammika Ganepola imposed a lower penalty and ordered that the master be released after paying it.
Two pollution charges
The charges related to marine pollution and failure to report an incident in violation of the country's Marine Pollution Prevention Act.
The fine range laid down in the legislation is between LKR 4m and LKR 15m.
One crewman died after a boiler exploded while the tanker was en route to Paradip in India.
The remaining 22 crew members, including the captain, were rescued and were placed in quarantine at a hotel in Galle.
Owner and manager New Shipping has not made any statements about the fire throughout the incident, nor has the company responded to requests for comment.
The vessel was carrying 270,000 tonnes of crude from Kuwait to Paradip in India.
The accident has been blamed on an explosion in a boiler in the engine room.
A joint effort by the Sri Lankan navy and air force, and the Indian navy, succeeded in extinguishing the fire.
