The head of the company was left in jail for polluting the Black Sea port

The head of a private enterprise was left in custody in the Odesa pre-trial detention center. She was accused of polluting the waters of the Chornomorsk port.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Chornomorsk City Court of Odesa Oblast.

According to the investigation, she is the head of the private enterprise Frog AgroService, which in 2021 purchased the Mars bunker from the state-owned enterprise Sea Commercial Port of Chornomorsk. Along with the vessel, the company received more than 10 tons of used fuel and lubricants that remained on board.

The investigation found that for a long time the responsible persons had ignored numerous requests and warnings from the port administration and the captain of the Black Sea seaport. The shipowner failed to ensure the proper technical condition of the vessel, did not organize a watch service, did not conclude a basing agreement, and did not take measures to ensure the safe berthing of the bunker, despite official letters and orders.

In January 2024, this led to an accident: the hull of the vessel lost its tightness, the bunker partially sank, and more than 1.2 tons of fuel oil leaked into the waters of the port of Chornomorsk. According to law enforcement officials, this caused significant environmental pollution and caused damage to the state on a particularly large scale.

The prosecutor's office insisted that the defendant could hide from the court, influence witnesses who had not yet been questioned, or otherwise obstruct the proceedings. The court agreed with these arguments, but at the same time determined an alternative measure of restraint. In addition, she was left in the Odesa pre-trial detention center until February 19, 2026 inclusive.

The bail was set at UAH 1 million. If she is released from custody, she will be obliged not to leave her place of residence without a court order, to report any change of place of residence or work, to refrain from communicating with witnesses and to appear in court upon request.

The shipowner was notified of being suspected of polluting the waters of the Chornomorsk seaport in March 2025. According to experts, the damage caused by the disaster is estimated at almost UAH 16 million.

Анна Бальчінос