A €150,000 settlement has been reached between Oceanco and the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie OM) following the luxury yacht builder’s use of Myanmar teak.
The teak used did not comply with the rules of the European Timber Regulation (EUTR).
The Public Prosecution Service launched an investigation into Oceanco’s use of Myanmar teak in March 2022.
Strict requirements apply regarding the import of teak from Myanmar which make it virtually impossible to legally import the wood.
The EUTR requirements make the entity that first places the wood on the European market liable.
Investigation
The teak in question was brought into the European market by a German timber trader and the correct papers were in place.
The investigation also found that Oceanco purchased products made from Myanmar teak, including wooden furniture and other finishing materials, from a Turkish woodworking company.
As there was no intermediary, Oceanco itself was responsible for importing the wood to Europe and was the first to place the wood on the European market, but had failed to investigate the origins or if it was compliant with regulations. It is therefore no longer possible to determine whether this wood was legally or illegally felled.
Oceanco has accepted liability and acknowledged the error, according to the Public Prosecution Service, and has expressed regret.
Violation
The yacht builder also indicated that it wrongly failed to realise at the time of importing the wood from Turkey that it was the party that had to comply with the due diligence requirements of the EUTR.
The shipyard has stated that it will no longer use Myanmar teak in the construction of its ships.
Because the yacht builder has admitted the incident and has stopped using Myanmar teak, the Public Prosecution Service settled the violation of the EUTR with a penalty notice of €150,000.
Last week it was announced that Sunseeker had been fined for importing Myanmar teak after pleading guilty to three charges stemming from imports of timber.
