The Bahamas has pledged to conduct a ‘comprehensive review’ of Carnival Corp’s court documented environmental violations in Bahamian waters.
The Bahamas was the country most affected by the illegal dumping of treated sewage and food waste, which comprised 13 separate incidents, according to a court-appointed auditor.
Carnival Corp. said it reported all incidents to Bahamian authorities and were all unintentional.
The audit was imposed as part of a multi-year probation after the company settled a $40 million case for illegally dumping oil at sea and attempting to cover it up.
U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz has threatened to ban Carnival Corp ships from US ports due to ongoing violations during the probation period.
"As the port and coastal state in which the violations may have occurred, The Bahamas will investigate and take measures as appropriate," said Bahamas’ Minister of Transport and Local Government Renward Wells.
"Contact has already been made with Carnival, which is cooperating fully with The Bahamas and has pledged full transparency in the investigation," Wells added in a statement.
None of the ships involved were Bahamas registered although other Carnival ships do fly the Bahamian flag so it has jurisdiction.
The cruise company said it welcomes a meeting with Bahamian officials and says the dumping incidents had no adverse impact on the local population or marine life.
